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Abstract:

A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming
machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors
wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the
central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming
machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central
server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award
and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of
secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming
machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or
the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine
selected by the central server.

Claims:

1. A gaming system comprising:a plurality of gaming machines, each gaming
machine including a primary game operable upon a wager placed by a
player; anda controller in communication with said gaming machines,
wherein the controller is programmed to:(a) determine at designated
intervals if a bonus event will occur;(b) if the bonus event is
determined to occur:(i) determine which of the gaming machines were in an
active state during a bonus event qualification period for said bonus
event,(ii) select at least one of the active gaming machines, and(iii)
send a signal to the selected gaming machine to display and provide a
bonus award to the player of said gaming machine, wherein said controller
at least in part determines the bonus award based on amount of wagers
placed on the primary games of the gaming machines and said selected
gaming machine at least in part randomly determines the bonus award to
display and provide to the player.

2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the bonus event qualification
period is a designated period of time before the determination that the
bonus event will occur.

3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to
determine which of the gaming machines were in the active state during
the bonus event qualification period by determining for each gaming
machine if a wager was placed on the primary game of that gaming machine
during the bonus event qualification period.

4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to
determine which of the gaming machines were in the active state during
the bonus event qualification period by determining for each gaming
machine if a designated level wager was placed on the primary game of
that gaming machine during the bonus event qualification period.

5. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to
determine which of the gaming machines were in the active state during
the bonus event qualification period by determining for each gaming
machine if a designated number of wagers were placed on the primary game
of that gaming machine during the bonus event qualification period.

6. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the bonus award includes a value
component.

7. The gaming system of claim 6, wherein the value component is determined
by the selected gaming machine.

8. The gaming system of claim 6, wherein the value component is determined
in a secondary game played on the selected gaming machine.

9. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the bonus award includes a
modifier component.

10. The gaming system of claim 9, wherein the modifier component is
selected by the controller and sent to the selected gaming machine.

11. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein if at least two of the gaming
machines are each in the active state, the controller is programmed to
select at least one of the gaming machines in the active state to provide
a secondary bonus award, wherein said selection excludes the gaming
machine selected to provide the bonus award.

12. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein if at least two gaming machines
are each in the active state, the controller is programmed to determine a
number of secondary bonus awards based on the number of gaming machines
in the active state.

13. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein at least two of said primary
games of at least two of the plurality of gaming machines are different.

14. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the designated intervals are
time based.

15. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the designated intervals are
based on the accumulated wager pool.

16. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein a processor of one of the gaming
machines functions as the controller.

17. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said controller is programmed to
determine at least part, but not all of the bonus award based on the
amounts of wagers placed on the primary games.

18. The gaming system of claim 17, wherein the bonus award is a
progressive award.

19. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said controller randomly
determines at least part, but not all of the bonus award to display and
provide to the player.

20. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said controller is programmed to
determine at least part, but not all of the bonus award based on the
amount of wagers placed on the primary games and randomly determines at
least part, but not all of the bonus award to display and provide to the
player.

21. A gaming device operable under control of at least one processor, said
gaming device comprising:a game controlled by said at least one
processor;at least one display device including a plurality of reels,
wherein each of said reels is associated with a different one of a
plurality of maintained progressive awards;a plurality of symbols on said
reels;at least one input device; andsaid at least one processor
programmed to operate with said at least one input device and said at
least one display device to control a play of said game by:(a) displaying
said plurality of maintained progressive awards,(b) generating and
displaying a plurality of said symbols on said reels,(c) determining if a
designated one of said symbols is generated on any of said reels, and(d)
for each of any of said reels with at least one generated designated
symbol, determining whether to provide a player the maintained
progressive award associated with said reel.

22. The gaming device of claim 21, wherein at least one determination in
the game is based on a communication received from at least one remote
central controller.

23. The gaming device of claim 21, wherein the at least one processor
includes a remote central controller.

24. The gaming device of claim 21, wherein each of said progressive awards
are maintained by the gaming device.

25. The gaming device of claim 21, wherein at least one of said
progressive awards is maintained by the gaming device.

26. The gaming device of claim 21, wherein determining whether to provide
the player the maintained progressive award associated with said reel is
associated with a one-hundred percent probability of providing said
progressive award.

27. The gaming device of claim 21, wherein determining whether to provide
the player the maintained progressive award associated with said reel is
based on at least one additional random determination.

28. A gaming system comprising:a central controller;a plurality of gaming
devices operable to communicate with the central controller, each of said
gaming devices controlled by at least one processor and including:a game
controlled by said at least one processor;at least one display device
including a plurality of reels, wherein each of said reels is associated
with a different one of a plurality of maintained progressive awards;a
plurality of symbols on said reels; andat least one input device;wherein
said at least one processor is programmed to operate with said at least
one input device and said at least one display device to control a play
of said game by:(a) displaying said plurality of maintained progressive
awards,(b) generating and displaying a plurality of said symbols on said
reels,(c) determining if a designated one of said symbols is generated on
any of said reels, and(d) for each of any of said reels with at least one
generated designated symbol, determining whether to provide a player the
maintained progressive award associated with said reel.

29. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein at least one determination in
at least one of the games is based on a communication received from the
central controller.

30. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein the at least one processor
includes the central controller.

31. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein each of said progressive awards
are maintained by at least one of said gaming devices.

32. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein at least one of said
progressive awards is maintained by at least one of said gaming devices.

33. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein determining whether to provide
the player the maintained progressive award associated with said reel is
associated with a one-hundred percent probability of providing said
progressive award.

34. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein determining whether to provide
the player the maintained progressive award associated with said reel is
based on at least one additional random determination.

Description:

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001]This application is a divisional of, claims priority to and the
benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/204,101, filed on Aug. 15,
2005, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/603,144, filed on Aug. 19, 2004, the entire
contents of which are each incorporated herein.

[0003]Gaming machines which provide players awards in primary or base
games are well known. Gaming machines generally require the player to
place or make a wager to activate the primary or base game. In many of
these gaming machines, the award is based on the player obtaining a
winning symbol or symbol combination and on the amount of the wager
(e.g., the higher the wager, the higher the award). Symbols or symbol
combinations which are less likely to occur usually provide higher
awards.

[0004]In such known gaming machines, the amount of the wager made on the
base game by the player may vary. For instance, the gaming machine may
allow the player to wager a minimum number of credits, such as one credit
(e.g., one cent, nickel, dime, quarter or dollar) up to a maximum number
of credits, such as five credits. This wager may be made by the player a
single time or multiple times in a single play of the primary game. For
instance, a slot game may have one or more paylines and the slot game may
allow the player to make a wager on each payline in a single play of the
primary game. Slot games with 1, 3, 5, 9, 15 and 25 lines are widely
commercially available. Thus, it is known that a gaming machine, such as
a slot game, may allow players to make wagers of substantially different
amounts on each play of the primary or base game ranging, for example,
from one credit up to 125 credits (e.g., five credits on each of 25
separate paylines). This is also true for other wagering games, such as
video draw poker, where players can wager one or more credits on each
hand and where multiple hands can be played simultaneously. Accordingly,
it should be appreciated that different players play at substantially
different wagering amounts or levels and at substantially different rates
of play.

[0005]Secondary or bonus games are also known in gaming machines. The
secondary or bonus games usually provide an additional award to the
player. Secondary or bonus games usually do not require an additional
wager by the player to be activated. Secondary or bonus games are
generally activated or triggered upon an occurrence of a designated
triggering symbol or triggering symbol combination in the primary or base
game. For instance, a bonus symbol occurring on the payline on the third
reel of a three reel slot machine may trigger the secondary bonus game.
When a secondary or bonus game is triggered, the gaming machines
generally indicates this to the player through one or more visual and/or
audio output devices, such as the reels, lights, speakers, video screens,
etc. Part of the enjoyment and excitement of playing certain gaming
machines is the occurrence or triggering of the secondary or bonus game
(even before the player knows how much the bonus award will be). In other
words, obtaining a bonus award is part of the enjoyment and excitement
for players.

[0006]Certain secondary or bonus games are activated automatically and
certain secondary or bonus games require player activation. Once
activated, certain secondary or bonus games play to the end or final
bonus award automatically and certain secondary or bonus games require at
least some level of player interaction. The amount of player interaction
may vary. In certain secondary or bonus games, the player may need to
pick selections and in certain secondary or bonus games, the player may
need to make one or more decisions, such as whether to risk one amount
for a higher amount. From the triggering of these secondary or bonus
games to the end of these secondary or bonus games, the player is
generally provided indications, instructions and/or information about the
play of these secondary or bonus games. These indications, instructions
and/or provided information inform the player of how and why the player
is obtaining or has obtained any award(s) in the secondary or bonus game.
Gaming machines often include a display device, such as one or more
reels, wheels, dice, video display screens, to display how and why the
player is obtaining the secondary or bonus award.

[0007]Progressive awards associated with gaming machines are also known. A
progressive award is an award amount which includes an initial amount
funded by a casino and an additional amount funded through a portion of
each wager made on the progressive gaming machine. For example, 1% of
each wager placed on the primary game of the gaming machine may be
allocated to the progressive award or progressive award fund. The
progressive award grows in value as more players play the gaming machine
and more portions of the players' wagers are allocated to the progressive
award. When a player obtains a winning symbol or symbol combination which
results in the progressive award, the accumulated progressive award is
provided to the player. After the progressive award is provided to the
player, the amount of the next progressive award is reset to the initial
value and a portion of each subsequent wager is allocated to the next
progressive award as described above.

[0008]A progressive award may be associated with a single gaming machine
or multiple gaming machines which each contribute portions of the
progressive award. The multiple gaming machines may be in the same bank
of machines, in the same casino or gaming establishment (usually through
a local area network ("LAN")) or in two or more different casinos or
gaming establishments (usually through a wide area network ("WAN")). Such
progressive awards are sometimes called local area progressives ("LAP")
and wide area progressives ("WAP"), respectively.

[0009]Mystery bonus awards are also known. For instance, U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,655,961, 5,702,304, 5,741,183, 5,752,882, 5,820,459, 5,836,817,
5,876,284, 6,162,122, 6,257,981, 6,319,125, 6,364,768, 6,375,569,
6,375,567, RE37,885 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,565,434 describe mystery bonus
awards and certain methods for providing such awards to players. These
patents also describe certain methods for determining which gaming
machines will provide the awards to players. These patents further
describe methods for a central server to determine which gaming machines
will provide the bonus awards and the amount of the bonus awards.

[0010]PCT Application No. PCT/AU98/00525, entitled "Slot Machine Game And
System With Improved Jackpot Feature" discloses a jackpot awardable to a
plurality of gaming machines connected to a network. Upon each play of
each gaming machine, a jackpot controller increments the value of the
jackpot. Prior to each primary game, the gaming machine selects a random
number from a range of numbers and during each primary game, the gaming
machine allocates the first n numbers in the range, where n is the number
of credits bet by the player in that primary game. At the end of the
primary game, the randomly selected number is compared with the numbers
allocated to the player and if a match occurs, that particular gaming
machine is switched into a feature game mode in which a jackpot game is
played for all or part of the incremental jackpot.

[0011]More specifically, for every game that is played, a random trigger
value is selected in the preprogrammed range as determined from an
average number of credits wagered per jackpot. When the primary game is
commenced, it is then reported to the controller, which allocates a
contribution to the prize pool. Each game is also allotted numbers from
the same number range from which the random number was selected, one
number in the range being allotted for each credit bet such that the
player's probability of being awarded the jackpot game is proportional to
the bet. The previously selected random number is then used as a trigger
value and compared with the values allotted to the player, if there is a
match between the trigger value and the player values, the player is
given an opportunity to play the jackpot game. Alternatively, a number is
allocated which is equal to, or proportional to the number of credits bet
in the respective primary game, the trigger value is compared with the
single player value and a jackpot game awarded if the trigger value is
less than or equal to the player value.

[0012]In one embodiment of the system disclosed in PCT Application No.
PCT/AU98/00525, a prize is always awarded in the jackpot game. The
jackpot game is used to determine the size of the prize to be awarded.
The winning machine is then locked up and the controller awaits an
indication that the prize has been paid before allowing the machine to be
unlocked. The machine then returns to commence a new primary game. If the
trigger value does not match, then there is no feature game awarded for
that bought game and the machine returns to step and waits for the next
game to commence.

[0013]PCT Application No. PCT/AU99/01059, entitled "Player Information
Delivery" discloses a gaming console in which an animated character
occasionally randomly appears and awards a player a variable random bonus
prize. The occurrence of the animated character is weighted by the
desired hit rate of the feature and is dependent upon the player's bet
and may or may not be dependent upon the size and type of the player's
bet. Additionally, the gaming console includes a bonus pool (funded by
the player) and a random decision is made whether the contents of the
bonus pool will be awarded in addition to any other win.

[0014]U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,608 B1 entitled "Progressive Wagering System"
discloses a linked progressive wagering system that is capable of
accepting wagers in different currencies and different denominations of
the same currency. The system periodically computes each current prize
value using the data acquired from each gaming device and displays the
current prize value at each location where participating gaming devices
are located (in the currency used at each particular location). This
patent also discloses the system specifying a boundary criteria, such as
a maximum value or an expiration date and time, for a progressive award
prize. If a gaming device has not randomly generated a prize award event
when the specified boundary criteria is met, a progressive award prize is
forced by the system upon one or more randomly selected participating
players.

[0015]There is a continuing need to provide new and different gaming
machines and gaming systems as well as new and different ways to provide
awards to players including bonus awards. There is also a continuing need
to provide new and different linked or related gaming machines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016]One embodiment of the present invention provides a gaming system
including a central server or controller in communication with or linked
to a plurality of gaming machines or gaming devices. Another embodiment
of the present invention provides a gaming system having a plurality of
linked gaming machines where one of the gaming machines functions as the
central server or controller. The gaming system also includes a plurality
of bonus awards adapted to be provided to one or more players of the
gaming machines in the gaming system.

[0017]In operation, the controller or central server monitors wagers or
wager activity on the primary games of the gaming machines. Based at
least in part on the wagers or wager activity on the primary games of the
gaming machines, the controller or central server determines when a bonus
event will occur. If a bonus event is determined to occur, the controller
or central server determines if one or more of the gaming machines will
provide one or more bonus award(s) and which of the gaming machine(s)
will be selected to provide the bonus award(s) in the bonus event. The
terms central server and controller are used interchangeably herein.

[0018]In one embodiment, for each gaming machine selected by the
controller or central server to provide a bonus award, the central server
or controller and that selected gaming machine co-act to determine the
amount of the bonus award to be provided to the player of that selected
gaming machine. In this embodiment, both the central server and the
gaming machine selected to provide a bonus award to a player each
contribute or determine, at least in part, one or more different
components of the bonus award ultimately provided to the player. In an
alternative embodiment, the selected gaming machine determines which of a
plurality of different awards that are maintained by the central server,
such as a plurality of different progressive awards, to provide to the
player of the selected gaming machine. This alternative embodiment may
include a game having player interaction to determine the award.

[0019]As indicated above, the controller tracks the wager activity or
amounts wagered on plays of the primary game of each gaming machine in
the gaming system. In one embodiment, the controller includes: (a) a
separate coin-in or wager meter for each individual gaming machine which
tracks the total coin-in or wagers placed on the primary games for each
of the gaming machines in the gaming system and (b) a total coin-in or
wager meter which tracks the total coin-in wagers placed on all of the
primary games for all of the gaming machines in the gaming system. This
total wager meter can be a calculated amount based on the sum of the
individual gaming machine coin-in meters. The controller tracks the total
wagers for each individual gaming machine and the total wagers for all of
the gaming machines in the gaming system in any suitable compatible or
comparable manner such as credits wagered (i.e., if all of the system
gaming machines are of the same denomination) or monetary units (e.g.,
total dollars or other currency) wagered. Alternatively, each of the
gaming machines tracks the wagers placed on that gaming machine (via an
individual gaming machine meter). This can be done for all wagers or for
the wagers placed by individual players. In these embodiments, the gaming
machines sends information to the central controller upon request from
the central controller, at designated intervals or in any other suitable
manner. Tracking in monetary units accounts for gaming machines having
multi-denominations and/or for gaming machines of different denominations
and/or gaming machines which accept different currencies.

[0020]In one embodiment, the controller maintains an accumulated wager
pool for all of the gaming machines in the gaming system. The accumulated
wager pool includes at least the total coin-in or amounts wagered on the
plays of the primary games of the gaming machines in the gaming system
during an accumulation period or a bonus event accumulation period as
further discussed below. In certain embodiments of the present invention,
after the first bonus event occurs, the accumulated wager pool may
include a remainder from a previous bonus event to be utilized in one or
more subsequent bonus events as further discussed below.

[0021]In one embodiment, each bonus event accumulation period starts at
the occurrence of a first bonus event and ends at the occurrence of a
second subsequent bonus event. For example, when a bonus event occurs,
the accumulation of the monetary units for that bonus event
simultaneously or substantially simultaneously ceases. In this example,
any wagers made on the primary games of the gaming machines which
subsequently occur are part of the next bonus event accumulation period
and are accumulated for the next bonus event. It should be appreciated
that in this embodiment, the next bonus event accumulation period starts
or can start even before the central server selects the gaming machine(s)
which will provide the bonus award(s).

[0022]In another embodiment, each bonus event accumulation period starts
at the issuance of a first bonus event and ends at the issuance of a
second subsequent bonus event. For example, after a bonus event is
determined to occur, the selected gaming machine will subsequently
provide the bonus award to a player of that selected gaming machine.
Accumulation of the monetary units for that bonus event ceases at the
time that bonus award is provided to or received by the player. In this
example, any wagers made on the primary games of the gaming machines
which subsequently occur after issuance of that bonus award are for the
next bonus event accumulation period and are accumulated in the
accumulated wager pool for the next bonus event.

[0023]As indicated above, in one embodiment of the present invention, the
accumulated wager pool includes at least the total coin-in or amounts
wagered by the players on the primary games of all of the gaming machines
in the gaming system during the bonus event accumulation period. In an
alternative embodiment, the accumulated wager pool also includes any
unaccounted for portions of the amounts in one or more previous
accumulated wager pools from one or more previous bonus event(s) as
discussed in more detail below. This is referred to herein as the
remainder.

[0024]The central server determines when a bonus event will occur based,
at least in part, on the accumulated amount in the accumulated wager
pool. For example, the central server determines if a bonus event will
occur at preset intervals based on a suitable sampling rate. The sampling
rate can be based on any suitable criteria, such as amounts wagered, time
elapsed or one or more other factors. For example, where the sampling
rate is based on the amount wagered, at each predetermined interval, the
central server determines if the accumulated wager pool has reached at
least a predefined minimum threshold level of monetary units required to
provide a bonus event. The minimum threshold level may be any suitable
number including zero, any number greater than zero or may be equal to
the sampling rate interval.

[0025]If the accumulated wager pool has not reached the predefined minimal
threshold level, the central server does not make a determination of
whether to cause a bonus event to occur at one or more of the gaming
machines in the system. In this case, the central server continues to
track wagered monetary units and waits until the next interval (i.e.,
based on the suitable sampling rate) to determine if a bonus event will
occur at one or more gaming machines in the gaming system.

[0026]If the accumulated wager pool has reached at least the minimum
threshold level of monetary units required to provide a bonus event, the
central server randomly determines, based on a predetermined probability,
whether the bonus event will occur or not. In one embodiment, this random
determination is based on a suitable probability, such as 1%, 2.5%, 5% or
10%. For example, if the accumulated wager pool has at least reached the
minimum threshold level of monetary units, the central server randomly
determines, based on 2.5% probability of the bonus event occurring,
whether to provide a bonus event at one or more of the gaming machines in
the system. In one embodiment, the probability from sample to sample can
remain constant or in an alternative embodiment, the probability can be
different for two or more of the samples. In one such embodiment, the
probability can increase for each sample or after a designated number of
samples. The present invention contemplates any suitable method for
determining the probabilities.

[0027]If the central server determines not to provide the bonus event to
the gaming machines, the central server continues to track wagered
monetary units and waits until the next interval (i.e., based on the
sampling rate) to determine if a bonus event will occur. It should be
appreciated that in other embodiments, there is no minimum threshold
level and the central server determines if such bonus event will occur at
each preset interval based on a suitable sampling rate.

[0028]If the central server determines that a bonus event will occur, the
central server also determines which system gaming machine(s) will be
selected to provide bonus awards to the players of those gaming machine.
Such determination is based in part on the individual status of each of
the gaming machines in the gaming system. That is, the individual status
of each gaming machine determines whether that gaming machine is eligible
to be selected to provide a bonus award to the player of that gaming
machine. In one embodiment, each gaming machine is determined to be in
either active status or enrolled status. Active status means that the
gaming machine is being actively played by a player during a bonus event
qualification period as discussed below. The active status requirements
can be based on any suitable number of satisfied criteria or defined in
any suitable manner by the implementer of the gaming system of the
present invention. For instance, a play of or wager on the primary game
of the gaming machine within a predetermined period of time may be part
of the determination of whether that gaming machine is in the active
status. Other factors such as: (a) the amount of time between each play
of or wager on the primary game of the gaming machine; (b) the amount
being wagered on the primary game(s); and (c) the number of plays within
a period of time, may also or alternatively be part of the determination
of whether a gaming machine is in the active status. On the other hand,
the enrolled status means that the gaming machine is one of the gaming
machines in the gaming system, but is not in the active status (i.e., not
being actively played by a player according to one or more of the
predetermined criteria) during the bonus event qualification period.

[0029]As indicated above, if the central server determines that a bonus
event will occur, the central server determines which active gaming
machines to select to provide the bonus award(s) to the players of those
active gaming machine. In one embodiment, the central server determines
which active gaming machines to select to provide each of the bonus
awards to based on the respective relative total amounts wagered on each
of the active gaming machines during the bonus event accumulation period.
In one embodiment, the central server determines the relative percentages
of total amounts wagered for each of the active gaming machines by
determining the amount wagered at each gaming machine in relation to the
total amount wagered at all active gaming machines during the bonus event
accumulation period. The central server uses these relative percentages
determined for each active gaming machine to randomly determine which of
the active gaming machines will be selected to provide the bonus
award(s). Using this process, each active gaming machine has a chance of
being selected to provide a bonus award. It should be appreciated that in
this embodiment, the active gaming machine which had the most amount
wagered during the bonus event accumulation period has the greatest
relative percentage of total amounts wagered and thus has the highest
chance of being selected to provide a bonus award. On the other hand, the
active gaming machine which had the least amount wagered during the bonus
event accumulation period has the lowest relative percentage of total
amounts wagered and thus has the lowest chance of being selected to
provide a bonus award.

[0030]As discussed above, a gaming machine in the gaming system may be
enrolled but not active when a bonus event occurs. In one embodiment,
each enrolled but not active gaming machine is not eligible to obtain a
bonus award and the total wagered amount for each of these gaming
machines is excluded or otherwise not used in determining the relative
percentages of the active gaming machines. However, it should be
appreciated that these amounts wagered by the enrolled, but not active,
gaming machines are included in the accumulated wager pool. In one
embodiment, the bonus event is funded on average by the accumulated wager
pool as discussed below. More specifically, in one embodiment which
includes a primary bonus award and one or more secondary bonus awards, as
further discussed below, the average primary bonus awards and the
secondary bonus awards are accounted for based on the amounts of monetary
units which will be in the accumulated wager pool when a bonus event is
triggered or determined to occur. It should thus be appreciated that the
present invention allows for large bonus awards to occur at any time
because after the minimum threshold of the accumulated wager pool is
achieved, the bonus event can be determined to occur and a value
component of the bonus award is not based on the actual amount of the
accumulated wager pool at the time of the bonus event.

[0031]The number of bonus awards and the amount of the bonus awards of a
bonus event can vary and be determined in a variety of different manners
in accordance with the present invention. In one embodiment, one bonus
award is selected to be provided by one of the active gaming machines in
the gaming system. In another embodiment, one bonus award from a
plurality of different bonus awards is selected to be provided by one of
the active gaming machines in the gaming system. In one such embodiment,
the plurality of bonus awards are progressive awards. In another
embodiment, the number of bonus awards in a bonus event is determined
based on the number of active gaming machines in the gaming system during
the bonus event qualification period for that bonus event. In one such
embodiment, one bonus award is provided for each designated number of
active gaming machines (e.g., one bonus award for each two active gaming
machines, one bonus award for each five active gaming machines or one
bonus award for each ten active gaming machines). In another such
embodiment, one primary bonus award is provided and additionally one
secondary bonus award is provided for each designated number of active
gaming machines. It should thus be appreciated that the number of bonus
awards of bonus event can vary in accordance with the present invention.

[0032]In one embodiment, the bonus event includes a primary bonus award
and zero, one or more secondary bonus awards which are distributed based
on the number of active gaming machines. The primary and secondary bonus
awards are each based in part on a first component, such as a value
component, determined by the active gaming machine selected by the
central server to provide an award and in part on a second component,
such as a modifier component, (e.g., a multiplier component), determined
by the central server and sent to each selected gaming machine. That is,
the central server determines a modifier component for each of the bonus
awards provided and each selected active gaming machine individually or
independently determines a value component for the individual bonus award
provided by that individual gaming machine.

[0033]In one embodiment, the value or first component of the bonus award
is based on a random determination made by the selected gaming machine
from a range of potential value components, wherein each potential value
component is associated with a probability. The value components
determined for each active gaming machine can vary for the different
selected gaming machines in the gaming system in a single bonus event
because each selected gaming machine individually or independently
determines the value component for that selected gaming machine. It
should be appreciated that because each selected active gaming machine
independently determines the value component for that gaming machine, the
value components will often be different for the different selected
active gaming machines.

[0034]In one embodiment, a modifier or second component, such as the
multiplier component, is based in part on the accumulated wager pool of
the bonus event accumulation period for the bonus event. In one
embodiment, the central server employs the accumulated wager pool to
determine a single modifier or multiplier component for all of the
selected active gaming machines. The modifier or multiplier component is
partly based on the accumulated wager pool, a sum of the expected average
value components for each of the selected gaming machines and a relative
portion of the bonus percentage of the entire paytable. For example, if
the accumulated wager pool is 100 monetary units and the relative portion
of the bonus percentage of the overall average return to the player is
30%, then 30 monetary units of the accumulated wager pool can be used to
determine the modifier or multiplier. Since it is generally desired to
have integer multipliers in gaming machines to avoid fractional units or
credits, not all of these monetary units may be accounted for in
determining the multiplier. In this simple example, if the multiplier is
9× and accounts for 27 of the monetary units, then 3 monetary units
are unaccounted for in determining the multiplier for the bonus event.
These remaining 3 monetary units must be on average accounted for because
this bonus event is funded on average by the accumulated wager pool.
Therefore, in this simple example, the 3 monetary units divided by the
percentage of the overall average return to be provided as bonus awards
(3/0.3) or 10 monetary units are the remainder of unaccounted for
monetary units which are placed back in or remain in the accumulated
wager pool for the next or a subsequent bonus event. This will allow the
minimum threshold to be reached sooner for the next sampling and possibly
increase the value of the next modifier or multiplier component for the
next bonus event.

[0035]In one embodiment which includes multiple bonus awards, such as a
primary bonus award and a secondary bonus award, the modifier or
multiplier component is determined based on the average expected value of
the value components of the primary and secondary awards which are
independently determined by the individual selected gaming machines.
Because the average expected value and not the actual value components
are used, the remainder is typically not an actual remainder but rather
an average expected remainder.

[0036]In an alternative embodiment, the bonus awards are accounted for
directly in the paytables of the gaming machines. In one such embodiment,
the bonus awards include a plurality of progressive awards funded by the
gaming machines in the system in a conventional manner. In this
embodiment, the central server maintains the plurality of progressive
awards. The progressive awards start or are reset at multiple different
levels (e.g., $10, $100, $1000, $10,000). In one embodiment, the gaming
machine selected by the central server to provide one of the progressive
awards as the bonus award will determine or cause to be determined which
progressive award that gaming machine will provide to the player. In one
embodiment, the gaming machine can provide a suitable bonus game where
the outcome of the bonus game determines which progressive award is
obtained. The bonus game may include or not include player interaction.

[0037]The present invention further contemplates employing one or more
displays in conjunction with the gaming machines which will provide the
players of the gaming machines information about the bonus awards to
increase player awareness of these awards and interaction between players
of the gaming machines. The display(s) can provide any suitable
information about the gaming system, gaming machines, bonus events and
bonus award such as information regarding the bonus event or bonus
award(s), which gaming machines are winning or have won the primary
awards and secondary awards, the amount of the progressive awards, when
the progressive award is about to be hit and which gaming machines are
winning or have won the progressive award.

[0038]It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a
gaming system including a controller or central server linked to a
plurality of gaming machines, wherein the central server determines when
a bonus event will occur and which gaming machine(s) will be selected to
provide the bonus award(s). In this gaming system, each selected gaming
machine determines, at least in part, the amount of the bonus award to be
provided by that selected gaming machine. This provides a more secure
award determination at the machine level and allows for different bonuses
on different machines.

[0039]A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming
system having an accumulated wager pool including at least wagers on the
primary games of the system gaming machines during a bonus event
accumulation period, wherein based at least in part on the accumulated
wager pool, a controller determines when a selected gaming machine will
provide one of the bonus awards independent of any event in or of any
play of any of the primary games. In this gaming system, the
determination of which gaming machine(s) will be selected to provide
bonus awards is based, at least in part, on the wagers placed on the
primary games of the gaming machines in the system. That is, each
selected gaming machine determines, at least in part, the amount of the
bonus award to be provided by that gaming machine.

[0040]A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming
system having an accumulated wager pool maintained by a controller based
at least in part on the wagers by the players of primary games of gaming
machines in the gaming system. The gaming system further includes a bonus
award adapted to be provided to the player of a controller selected
gaming machine, wherein the bonus award is determined based on a value
component (which is determined by the selected gaming machine independent
of the accumulated wager pool) and based on a modifier or multiplier
component (which is determined by the controller based in part on the
accumulated wager pool).

[0041]A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming
system having a central server operable to determine if a bonus event
will occur at designated intervals, and if the bonus event is determined
to occur, determine which of the gaming machines were in an active state
during a bonus event qualification period for the bonus event, select at
least one of the active gaming machines, and send a signal to the
selected gaming machine to provide a bonus award to the player of that
gaming machine. The central server at least in part determines the bonus
award and the selected gaming machine at least in part determines the
bonus award to provide to the player.

[0042]A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming
system having a central server operable for each gaming machine to
maintain a total of the wagers placed on the primary games of the gaming
machines during a bonus event accumulation period, maintain a total of
the wagers placed on the primary games of all of gaming machines during
the bonus event accumulation period and at designated intervals during
the bonus event accumulation period determine if a bonus event will
occur. If the bonus event is determined to occur, the central server
determines which of the gaming machines were in an active state during a
bonus event qualification period for the bonus event, select at least one
of the active gaming machines based on a probability determined from the
total wagers placed during the bonus event accumulation period for each
active gaming machines relative to the total wagers placed for all active
gaming machines during the bonus event accumulation period, and send a
signal to the selected gaming machine to provide a bonus award to the
player of the gaming machine. The selected gaming machine at least in
part determines the bonus award to provide to the player.

[0043]A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming
system having a central server operable for each gaming machine to
maintain a total of the wagers placed on the primary game of the gaming
machine during a bonus event accumulation period between a first bonus
event and a second bonus event, maintain an accumulated wager pool
including a total of the wagers placed on the primary games of all of
gaming machines during the bonus event accumulation period and a
remainder of average unaccounted for wagers from a first bonus event
accumulation period for the first bonus event, at designated intervals
during the bonus event accumulation period, determine if the second bonus
event will occur wherein the designated intervals are based on the
accumulated wager pool. If the bonus event is determined to occur, the
central server sends a signal to a selected gaming machine to provide a
bonus award to the player of the gaming machine. The selected gaming
machine at least in part determines the bonus award to provide to the
player.

[0044]A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming
system having a gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines,
each gaming machine including a primary game operable upon a wager by a
player, a bonus event and an expected average value component for the
bonus event. The gaming system also includes a first accumulated wager
pool for a first occurrence of the bonus event, a second accumulated
wager pool for a second occurrence of the bonus event and a controller in
communication with the gaming machines. The controller is operable to
cause the first occurrence of the bonus event, determine a first bonus
award for the first occurrence of the bonus event, wherein the first
bonus award is based at least in part on the first accumulated wager pool
and at least in part on a value component for the first occurrence of the
bonus event and determine a remainder including an unused portion of the
first accumulated wager pool and the average expected value component for
the bonus event. The controller is also operable to maintain the second
accumulated wager pool, cause the second occurrence of the bonus event
and use the second accumulated wager pool and the remainder to at least
in part determine a second bonus award to provide to a player for the
second occurrence of the bonus event.

[0045]A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming
system including a plurality of gaming machines, each gaming machine
including a primary game operable upon a wager by a player, a first
accumulated wager pool and a controller in communication with the gaming
machines. The controller is operable to maintain the first accumulated
wager pool based at least in part on the wagers placed on the primary
games of all of the gaming machines and determine a first bonus portion
of the accumulated wager pool, wherein the first bonus portion is at
least in part based on a percentage less than 100% of the first
accumulated wager pool. The controller is also operable to select at
least one gaming machine to provide a first bonus award to a player,
wherein the total expected value of all of the first bonus awards
provided to all of the players is equal to or less than the first bonus
portion and allocate a remainder to a second accumulated wager pool for a
second bonus award to be provided to a player, wherein the remainder
accounts for any difference between the first bonus portion and the total
expected value of all of the first bonus awards provided to all of the
players.

[0046]A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming
system including a plurality of gaming machines, each gaming machine
including a primary game operable upon a wager by a player and a
plurality of potential first bonus awards. The gaming system also
includes a first accumulated wager pool, a second accumulated wager pool
and a controller in communication with the gaming machines. The
controller is operable to maintain the first accumulated wager pool based
at least in part on the wagers placed on the primary games of all of the
gaming machines and select at least one gaming machine to provide one of
the first bonus awards to a player, wherein a total expected value of all
of the first bonus awards provided to all of the players is equal to or
less than a predetermined percentage of the first accumulated wager pool.
The controller is also operable to allocate a remainder to the second
accumulated wager pool for a second one of the bonus awards to be
provided to a player, wherein the remainder accounts for any difference
between the predetermined percentage of the first accumulated wager pool
and the total expected value of all of the first bonus awards provided to
all of the players.

[0047]A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a method
of operating a gaming system including a controller and a plurality of
gaming machines which each include a primary game operable upon a wager
by a player. The method includes maintaining a first accumulated wager
pool, maintaining an average expected value component for a bonus event
and causing a first occurrence of the bonus event. The method also
includes determining a first bonus award for the first occurrence of the
bonus event, wherein the first bonus award is based at least in part on
the first accumulated wager pool and at least in part on a value
component for the occurrence of the bonus event, determining a remainder
including an unused portion of the first accumulated wager pool and the
average expected value component for the bonus event and maintaining a
second accumulated wager pool. The method further includes causing a
second occurrence of the bonus event and using the second accumulated
wager pool and the remainder to at least in part determine a second bonus
award to provide to a player for the second occurrence of the bonus
event.

[0048]A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming
system having pool of wagered amounts on the gaming machines wherein the
actual amount of the pool in part determines when a bonus award can be
provided to a player, but the actual amount of the pool does not
determine the amount of the bonus award given to the player and accounted
for by pool.

[0049]Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming
system having a plurality of gaming machines wherein multiple different
bonus awards can be provided simultaneously or substantially
simultaneously.

[0050]A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming
system having bonus events for a plurality of gaming machines which
employ multi-denominations or different denominations or different bet
amount.

[0051]Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming
system having a plurality of gaming machines which employs a wager pool
to fund the bonus event but provides a more random feel in providing the
bonus awards.

[0052]Additional features and advantages of the present invention are
described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed
Description of the Invention and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0053]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the central server in communication
with a plurality of gaming machines in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention.

[0054]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the memory of the central server of
the embodiment of FIG. 1, and which generally illustrates one example of
the accumulated wager pool.

[0055]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the memory of the central server of
the embodiment of FIG. 1, and which generally illustrates an example of
the accumulated wager pool with a remainder for a previous accumulated
wager pool.

[0057]FIG. 5 is a timeline illustrating the bonus event accumulation
periods relative to the bonus triggers.

[0058]FIG. 6 is a timeline illustrating a bonus event accumulation period
relative to the bonus event triggers and a bonus event qualification
period.

[0059]FIG. 7 is a chart of an example of the relative wagered amounts for
three active gaming machines and the probability of being selected to
provide the primary bonus award for each active gaming machine.

[0060]FIG. 8 is a chart of an example of the relative wagered amounts for
two active gaming machines and the probability of being selected to
provide the primary bonus award for each active gaming machine.

[0061]FIG. 9 is a chart of an example of the relative wagered amounts for
two different active gaming machines and the probability of being
selected to provide the primary bonus award for each active gaming
machine.

[0062]FIG. 10 is a chart of an example of the wagered amount for one
active gaming machine and the probability of being selected to provide
the primary bonus award for that active gaming machine.

[0063]FIG. 11 is a chart illustrating a range of payouts or value
components and probabilities associated with those payouts or value
components for a primary bonus award of one embodiment of the present
invention.

[0064]FIG. 12 is a chart illustrating a range of payouts or value
components and probabilities associated with those payouts or value
components for a secondary bonus award of one embodiment of the present
invention.

[0065]FIG. 13 is a chart illustrating one example embodiment of the gaming
system of the present invention.

[0066]FIG. 14 is a chart illustrating an example of the pooled amounts of
monetary units and the determinations if the bonus event occurs in one
embodiment of the gaming system of the present invention.

[0067]FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a one embodiment of the present invention
illustrating the beginning of a bonus event accumulation period to the
providing of one or more bonus awards.

[0068]FIGS. 16a, 16b and 16c are charts illustrating an example of one
embodiment of the present invention.

[0069]FIG. 17 is a timeline illustrating the example of FIGS. 16a, 16b and
16c of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0070]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a gaming machine having a display
which displays a plurality of progressive awards of one embodiment of the
present invention.

[0071]FIGS. 19A and 19B are front perspective views of alternative
embodiments of gaming machines of one embodiment of the present
invention.

[0072]FIG. 20 is a schematic block diagram of the electronic configuration
of one embodiment of a gaming machine of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Mystery Bonus Awards Embodiment

[0073]One embodiment of the present invention provides a gaming system
including a plurality of linked gaming machines and a plurality of awards
provided to players of the linked gaming machines in an apparently random
fashion to the players of these gaming machines. These awards are
referred to herein as bonus awards to distinguish them from the awards
that the gaming machines provide to the players for winning outcomes in
the plays of the primary wagering games, such as slot games, card games
(e.g., poker, blackjack) or any other suitable game. The awards can be
any suitable type of awards, such as monetary awards or progressive
awards. The gaming machines can also include other secondary games or
secondary awards, such as other progressive jackpot awards.

[0074]In one embodiment of the present invention, the gaming machines do
not provide any apparent reasons to the players for obtaining such bonus
awards. In this embodiment, the bonus awards are not triggered by an
event in or based specifically on any of the plays of any primary game or
on any of the plays of any secondary game of the gaming machines in the
system. That is, the gaming machines may simply provide the bonus awards
to the players without any explanation or alternatively with simple
explanations such as "You Have Won a Mystery Bonus Award of $______."

[0075]In one embodiment, the gaming machines of the gaming system are
operable to provide multiple bonus awards to multiple players at the
multiple linked gaming machines at the same time or substantially the
same time. Alternatively, the gaming machines of the gaming system are
operable to provide multiple bonus awards to multiple players at the
multiple linked gaming machines in an overlapping or sequential manner.
In one embodiment, upon the determination or trigger of a bonus event,
the gaming system determines the number of bonus awards, such as one
primary bonus award and zero, one or more secondary bonus awards that the
gaming machine(s) will provide to the player(s) of the multiple linked
gaming machines in the gaming system as described below. In one
embodiment, one primary bonus award is always provided to one of the
players of the gaming machines in the gaming system and the number of
secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming
machines in the gaming system at the time the bonus event occurs.

[0076]In one embodiment of the present invention, the primary bonus awards
and any secondary bonus awards of a bonus event are based, at least in
part, on monetary units which are accumulated in an accumulated wager
pool. The accumulated wager pool includes the amounts wagered on primary
games of the multiple linked gaming machines during a bonus event
qualification period for that bonus event and any theoretical remainder
from one or more prior bonus events. More specifically, the primary bonus
awards and the secondary bonus awards of a bonus event are derived in
part from a ratio of the expected awards to be paid from the bonuses
versus the amount in the accumulated wager pool for that bonus event.
Since this ratio is employed instead of basing the awards on the actual
amount of pooled monetary units, the amounts of the bonus awards can have
a greater volatility because they are not limited by the amount of
monetary units actually in the accumulated wager pool for that bonus
event. The actual bonus awards provided to the players of the gaming
machines can thus be greater than the accumulated wager pool monetary
units.

[0077]It should thus be appreciated that the gaming system of this
embodiment will sometimes over hold and will sometimes under hold the
expected monetary units to be awarded relative to the actual amount of
wagered monetary units actually in the accumulated wager pool for that
bonus event. This will give a more random feel to the gaming system and
provide more excitement for the players. It should also be appreciated
that in certain embodiments, the actual amount of pooled monetary units
at least partially determines when the bonus event will occur as
discussed below.

[0078]In one embodiment, the central server or controller tracks wagering
activity or game play, maintains a combined theoretical and actual bonus
wager accumulation pool which includes the actual amounts wagered and a
theoretical remainder from a previous bonus event, wherein the
theoretical remainder is based on the ratio of the expected awards to be
paid versus a the amount in the accumulated wager pool for the previous
bonus event. The total expected value of actual bonus awards roughly
equals bonus pool accounting.

Central Server Generally

[0079]Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the gaming system 10 of
the present invention includes a central server or controller 12 and a
plurality of gaming machines or gaming devices 14a, 14b . . . 14z in
communication with or linked to the central server or processor 12. The
number of gaming machines in the gaming system can vary as desired by the
implementer of the gaming system. These gaming machines are referred to
herein alternatively as the group of gaming machines, the linked gaming
machines or the system gaming machines. The linked gaming machines may be
of the same type or of different types of gaming machines. The linked
gaming machines may have the same primary game or two or more different
primary games. For example, one gaming machine may be adapted to play a
slot game while another gaming machine may be adapted to play a poker
game. The linked gaming machines may have no secondary games, one or more
secondary games, the same secondary games or two or more different
secondary games. The linked gaming machines may have no progressive
award, one or more progressive awards, the same progressive awards or may
have two or more different progressive awards. The play of each of the
gaming machines 14a, 14b . . . 14z in the group is monitored by the
central server 12. The central server or controller may be any suitable
server or computing device which includes a processor and a memory or
storage device. In alternative embodiments, the central server is a
progressive controller or another gaming machine in the gaming system.

[0080]The central server or controller maintains or keeps track of the
play and/or other activity on or relating to the gaming machines in the
gaming system. In one embodiment, the central server keeps track of the
play on each gaming machine 14a, 14b . . . 14z including at least: (1)
the amount wagered by the player(s) for each play of the primary game for
each gaming machine and (2) the time the wagers are placed or the amount
of time between each play of the primary game for each gaming machine. It
should be appreciated that the player of a gaming machine may change
during this tracking and that this tracking can be independent of the
specific player playing the gaming machine. In one embodiment, the
central server determines the status of each of the gaming machines in
the group based on this information. It should be appreciated that other
information may be employed by the central server or controller to
determine the status of each of the gaming machines in the group. For
instance, the number of games played or the amount of each wager placed
on each play may be used in the determination of the status of each
gaming machine.

[0081]It should be appreciated that the central server also keeps track or
maintains additional information regarding play of the gaming machines in
the group, such as one or more conventional progressive awards associated
with the gaming machines which are provided to the players in a
conventional manner. Moreover, the central server may track other
information, such as when (or if) a bonus event is played by a gaming
machine which has been selected to provide the bonus event.

[0082]As generally illustrated in FIG. 2, the memory 16 of the central
server also maintains an accumulated wager pool 18 and the wagered
amounts 20a, 20b . . . 20z for each gaming machine 14a, 14b . . . 14z in
the group, respectively. The accumulated wager pool 18 includes at least
the total amounts wagered by the players of the primary games for each of
the gaming machines during the bonus event accumulation period. In FIG.
2, the wagered amounts on gaming machine 14a during the bonus event
accumulation period is 110 monetary units, the wagered amounts on gaming
machine 14b during the bonus event accumulation period is 77 monetary
units and the wagered amounts on gaming machine 14z during the bonus
event accumulation period is 33 monetary units. Therefore, the
accumulated wager pool 18 includes 220 monetary units as illustrated in
FIG. 2.

[0083]The example shown in FIG. 2 illustrates the gaming system prior to
the occurrence of a first bonus event or after a bonus event in which
there is no remainder. After the first bonus event, as described in more
detail below, the accumulated wager pool may include a remainder. The
remainder accounts for the unaccounted portion of the accumulated wager
pool from a previous bonus event. Using this example and referring now to
FIG. 3, if a remainder of 3 monetary units exists from a previous
accumulated wager pool and the amounts wagered during the present bonus
event accumulation period are the same as in FIG. 2, the accumulated
wager pool will include 223 monetary units.

[0084]The present invention includes defined points which trigger
different functions for the central server to perform based on: (a)
monetary units wagered on the group of gaming machines; (b) sampling
intervals; (c) designated levels of wagers, such as maximum wagers; (d)
time passed. Monetary units wagered on gaming machines are sometimes
referred to as "coin-in" in the gaming industry and herein.

[0085]Generally, in one embodiment, the central server determines when a
bonus event will occur based on a sampling rate of the accumulated wager
pool and a random determination. The central server also determines which
gaming machines to select to provide the bonus award(s) and sends signals
or messages containing such information to the gaming machines to
indicate such a bonus event.

Bonus Event Accumulation Period and Tracking of Wagered Amounts and
Remainders From Previous Bonus Events

[0086]Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 3, the central server 12 tracks the
play of the gaming machines 14a, 14b . . . 14z during a bonus event
accumulation period. The central server 12 includes coin-in or wager
meters or counters 20a, 20b . . . 20z which respectively individually
track the wagers placed on the primary games for each of the gaming
machines 14a, 14b . . . 14z in the group. The central server 12 includes
an accumulated wager pool 18 which at least tracks the total coin-in or
wagers placed on all of the primary games for the gaming machines 14a,
14b . . . 14z in the group. The individual gaming machine wager meters
20a, 20b . . . 20z and the accumulated wager pool 18 may track the wagers
made on the gaming machines in any suitable manner, such as in monetary
units. Tracking in monetary units allows for two or more of the gaming
machines in the group to be of different denominations and also allows
for the individual gaming machines to have multiple denominations. In
such embodiments, the monetary unit can be in the lowest common
denomination. In one embodiment, every gaming machine of the system will
also have a separate coin-in or wager meter for the bonus event
accumulation period. This may or may not be displayed by the gaming
machines to the players.

[0087]In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the central
server tracks the play of the gaming machines by having a theoretical
coin-in or wager meter or counter for each of the gaming machines in the
group. This theoretical wager meter individually tracks the expected
average wagers placed on the primary games of each of the gaming machines
in the system. This is tracked based on the range of possible wagers on
each of the machines and an expected average wager for each wager made.
The central server includes a theoretical accumulated wager pool which at
least tracks the total theoretical coin-in or wagers placed on all of the
primary games for all of the gaming machines in the group.

[0088]As described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, the
central server maintains or keeps track of the accumulated wager pool.
The accumulated wager pool includes the total coin-in or amounts wagered
by the players on the primary games of the gaming machines during the
bonus event accumulation period. The accumulated wager pool also includes
a theoretical remainder, as discussed in more detail below, to account
for portions of previous accumulated wager pools which are unaccounted
for in previous bonus event(s).

[0089]The central server tracks these amounts wagered during each bonus
event accumulation period. In one embodiment, each bonus event
accumulation period starts at the occurrence of a bonus event and ends at
the occurrence of a next or subsequent bonus event. For example, when a
bonus event occurs, the accumulation of the monetary units for that bonus
event immediately ceases, the values in the meters are stored or set, the
accumulated wager pool and meters are reset and all further coin-in or
wagers on the linked gaming machines which subsequently occur are
accumulated for the next bonus event. This starts even before the gaming
machines are selected to provide the bonus awards of that initiated bonus
event to the player. It should be appreciated that the exact period of
time of the bonus event accumulation period will vary based on many
factors, such as the rate of coin-in or wagered monetary units,
probability of triggering a bonus event and when the bonus events are
triggered. It should also be appreciated that the bonus event
accumulation session of the triggering for the first bonus event for the
gaming machines in the group can begin upon the initiation or enrollment
of the gaming machines in the group. In one embodiment, at the start of
each bonus event accumulation period, the wager meter in the central
server for each gaming machine will be set to zero.

[0090]In an alternative embodiment, the accumulated wager pool and one or
more of the gaming machine wager tracking meters do not need to be reset
to zero. In one such embodiment, a percentage of the accumulated wager
pool is employed for the bonus event (as discussed below) and a
percentage of the accumulated wager pool is not employed for the bonus
event but is saved for a subsequent bonus event. The same percentages are
used for the individual gaming machine wager meters. For example, if the
percentage employed is 90% and if: [0091](a) the accumulated wager pool
is at 1000 monetary units, [0092](b) the wager meter of active gaming
machine 14a is at 500 credits, [0093](c) the wager meter of active gaming
machine 14b is at 300 credits, and [0094](d) the wager meter of active
gaming machine 14z is at 200 credits, [0095]then [0096]a. the employed
amount of the accumulated wager pool is 900 monetary units, [0097]b. the
employed amount of the wager meter of active gaming machine 14a is 450
credits, [0098]c. the employed amount of the wager meter of active gaming
machine 14b is 270 credits, and [0099]d. the employed amount of the wager
meter of active gaming machine 14z is at 180 credits, [0100]and
[0101]i. the unemployed amount of the accumulated wager pool is 100
monetary units, [0102]ii. the unemployed amount of the wager meter of
active gaming machine 14a is 50 credits, [0103]iii. the unemployed amount
of the wager meter of active gaming machine 14b is 30 credits, and
[0104]iv. the unemployed amount of the wager meter of active gaming
machine 14z is at 20 credits.This embodiment leaves the relative ratio's
of the meters intact, which allows such ratios to be used for a
subsequent bonus event which is immediately triggered.

[0105]It should also be appreciated that the relative amount of the wager
meters for the gaming machines could vary based on other factors such as
the desire to reward a player who has a higher gaming status than other
players. For instance, if a player has a higher level player tracking
card, the player may be provided more monetary units in the meter of the
gaming machine which the player plays to provide that player a greater
advantage in being selected to receive a bonus award as discussed below.
Thus, in one embodiment, a meter for a gaming machine may be set or reset
to a seed amount or to include a seed amount based on the status of the
player or one or more other factors. Alternatively, credits or monetary
units may be added to the players total wagered amounts to give a player
an advantage.

[0106]Turning now to FIG. 5, initiation of the gaming system 40, a first
bonus triggering event 42, a second bonus triggering event 44, a third
bonus triggering event 46, a fourth bonus triggering event 48, a first
bonus event accumulation period 50, a second bonus event accumulation
period 52, a third bonus event accumulation period 54, and a fourth bonus
event accumulation period 56 occur along timeline 58. This illustrates
that the first bonus event accumulation period begins upon initiation of
the gaming machine in the system and ends upon triggering of the first
bonus event 42. This also illustrates that the second, third and fourth
bonus event accumulation periods 52, 54 and 56 occur between the first,
second, third and fourth bonus event triggers 42, 44, 46 and 48
respectively. FIG. 5 further illustrates that the bonus event
accumulation periods can vary in time because the bonus event triggers
will occur at different times as the gaming machines in the system are
played.

[0107]In one embodiment, the bonus event accumulation period and the bonus
event qualification period will be different time periods. In another
embodiment, the bonus event accumulation period and the bonus event
qualification period will be the same or substantially similar time
periods. In one embodiment, the bonus event accumulation period is the
period of time from the occurrence of one bonus event to the occurrence
of the next bonus event. In one embodiment, the bonus event qualification
period is the period of time when a primary game of a gaming machine must
be actively played prior to a bonus event in order to qualify that gaming
machine for that bonus event.

[0108]For example, based on the amount wagered on the gaming machines in
the group, the bonus event accumulation period may start at 8:30 p.m. and
end at 8:32 p.m. In this example, the bonus event accumulation period is
one-hundred-twenty seconds from a previous bonus event to a current bonus
event and a gaming machine may be eligible to win a bonus award in that
current bonus event if a wager has been made on the primary game of that
gaming machine in the last fifteen seconds (i.e., the bonus qualification
period) of that one-hundred-twenty second period.

[0109]This is generally illustrated in FIG. 6, where a first triggered
bonus event 60, a second triggered bonus event 62, a bonus event
accumulation period 64 and a bonus event qualification period 66 occur
along time line 68. This illustrates that the bonus event accumulation
period can be longer than the bonus event qualification period. FIG. 6
also illustrates three bonus event determinations 70, 72 and 74 that each
do not trigger a bonus event. In this example, the central server or
controller makes a random determination of whether a bonus event will
occur at each interval based on the sampling rate. At determinations 70,
72 and 74, the controller randomly determined that the bonus event will
not occur. Thus, the range of the bonus event qualification period will
vary based on when the central server or controller determines that the
bonus event will occur.

[0110]It should be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment of the
present invention, the points or wagers are accumulated based on
individual players instead of gaming machines. Thus, the system can be
alternatively configured to track each player's total wagers and base the
bonus events on an accumulated wager pool of the combination of such
player's wagers. In one such embodiment, if a player leaves the gaming
machine of the gaming system, that player's wagers are removed from the
accumulated wager pool. In another such embodiment, if a player leaves
the gaming machine of the gaming system, that player's wagered amounts
are saved for the player for later use in a pool at another gaming
machine. In one embodiment, each player's wagers are tracked via a player
tracking system (implemented through the use of a playing tracking card
or any other suitable manner). In one embodiment, if the player leaves a
gaming machine of the gaming system, the player's points or wagers are
retained through the playing tracking system until a designated time or
event, such as until the accumulated wager pool is reset. In another
embodiment, if the player leaves a gaming machine of the gaming system
without transferring their accumulated points using the player tracking
system (e.g., the player is not registered in the player tracking system
or the player does not have a playing tracking card), the gaming system
sets certain criteria which must be fulfilled to reset the accumulated
wager pool for that individual gaming machine. For example, if no
additional wagers are made at that gaming machine within a designated
period of time, the gaming machine determines that the player has left
without transferring any accumulated points to the player tracking system
and thus the accumulated wager pool is reset without that player's
wagered amount. Other suitable uses of that player's wagers can be made
by the gaming system of the present invention. Such wagers can be taken
in account or not taken in account for future bonus events.

Status of Gaming Machines

[0111]In one embodiment of the present invention, the status of each
gaming machine in the gaming system as either enrolled status or active
status determines whether that gaming machine is eligible to be selected
to provide a primary or secondary bonus award in a bonus event. In one
embodiment, the status of each gaming machine in the gaming system when
the bonus event occurs also determines the number of secondary bonus
awards provided in the bonus event.

[0112]The enrolled status means that the gaming machine is one of the
linked gaming machines in the system, but is not being actively played by
a player during a bonus event qualification period. A gaming machine may
be classified as enrolled status for several reasons. For example, no
player may be playing the gaming machine. In another example, a player
could be playing the gaming machine (i.e., by having credits on the
gaming machine), but be playing too slowly or be interrupted during play.
In this case, the player could have credits on the credit meter of the
gaming machine, but the player has not made a wager on a primary game or
otherwise qualified for a bonus event during the bonus event
qualification period.

[0113]The active status means that the gaming machine is being actively
played by a player during a bonus event qualification period. In one
embodiment, actively playing during a bonus event qualification period
means that the player is playing the primary game of the gaming machine
(i.e., placing wagers on plays of the primary game) at least at a
predefined minimum rate during a predefined time period. For example, the
gaming machine may be in active status when a player has made at least
one play of the primary game in a fifteen second period prior to the
triggering of the bonus event. In this example, the bonus event
qualification period is that fifteen second period prior to the
triggering of the bonus event.

[0114]In another embodiment, the bonus event qualification period may
begin with the determination that a bonus event will occur. In this
embodiment, any additional accumulation of the monetary units for the
current bonus event will cease immediately upon the conclusion of the
bonus event qualification period. That is, the bonus event accumulation
period ends at the same time as the bonus event qualification period
ends. For example, the bonus event qualification period is that fifteen
second period after the determination to trigger a bonus event. In
another embodiment, the active status may alternatively or additionally
be based on the amount wagered on the plays of the primary game during a
bonus event qualification period. In a further alternative embodiment,
the determination of the active status may be based on a designated
minimum number of plays of the primary game or number of wagers on the
primary game in a designated time period. The determination of active
status may take into account other factors such as interruptions or
displays in play of the primary game such as caused by the triggering of
other bonuses or the operation of other secondary games of the gaming
machines. In another embodiment, a gaming machine can only be determined
to be an active gaming machine if an additional wager, such as a side-bet
or side-wager, is made by a player at a gaming machine of the gaming
system for one player of a game, a plurality of plays of a game or all
plays of a game in a designated period of time. It should be appreciated
that a gaming machine may be classified as active based on any one or
more suitable parameters or criteria as determined by the implementer or
operator of the gaming system.

[0115]FIG. 4 illustrates a timeline 30 of a first bonus event
qualification period 32, a first bonus triggering event 34, a second
bonus event qualification period 36 and a second bonus triggering event
38. This illustrates that the bonus event qualification periods 32 and 36
are periods of time prior to the triggering of the respective bonus
events 34 and 38. This also illustrates that gaming machine 14z and
gaming machine 14a both played the primary game during the first bonus
event qualification period 32 and therefore were in active status for the
first bonus event 34. This further illustrates that gaming machine 14b
played the primary game during the second bonus event qualification
period 36 and therefore was in active status for the second bonus event
38. However, since gaming machine 14z played the primary game after the
first bonus event, but not within the second bonus event qualification
period 36, gaming machine 14z is in enrolled status but not in active
status to be eligible for the second bonus event 38. It should be
appreciated that the bonus event qualification periods preferably remain
constant or consistent.

[0116]After a bonus event is determined to occur, the central server or
controller will determine for each gaming machine if that gaming machine
is in an active status and thus eligible to be selected by the controller
to provide a bonus award. It should appreciated that a gaming machine in
the system needs to be in active status during the bonus event
qualification period to be eligible to provide either of the primary
bonus or any secondary bonuses in the bonus event. It should also be
appreciated that the bonus event qualification period could alternatively
be based on the amount of the wagers in addition to or instead of the
time of the wagers. In one such embodiment, if the player makes a
designated number of wagers at a designated level, such as maximum wager
on the primary game of a gaming machine, that gaming machine can qualify
for the next triggered bonus event.

[0117]In an alternative embodiment, one or more other or additional
awards, such as one or more progressive awards, are associated with the
linked gaming machines. In one embodiment, the gaming machine must also
be in active status to provide one of these additional award(s) to a
player.

[0118]Additionally, it should be appreciated that the present invention
contemplates other or additional methods for determining that a gaming
machine is active. For instance, the player may be enabled to make a side
wager or additional wager to be active for one or more subsequent bonus
events. The side wager feature could also be time based where the
additional wager causes the gaming machine to be active for a subsequent
time period, such as one minute.

[0119]It should also be appreciated that one or more additional statuses
may be employed in accordance with the present invention. In one
embodiment, a participating status is provided for a gaming machine based
on a determination of whether the gaming machine will be part of the
bonus event or be eligible to be selected to provide a bonus award to the
player of that gaming machine. For instance, a gaming machine will be in
a participating status if an individual player playing the gaming machine
is a premier player. This could be determined at least in part based on
the status of that player determined via a player tracking card used by
that player in the gaming machine. It should be appreciated that other
criteria can be used to determine if a player is in the participating
status. It should be further appreciated that when a gaming machine is in
the participating status, the gaming system automatically treats the
gaming machine as an active gaming machine for purposes of the other
determinations including bonus event eligibility by the gaming system.

Central Server Determination of Occurrence of Bonus Event

[0120]One embodiment of the gaming system of the present invention
includes a minimum accumulated wagered amount or threshold prior to a
determination of whether a bonus event will occur. As generally
illustrated in FIG. 14, the amount in this example is 216 monetary units.
If the accumulated wager pool is below this predefined minimum threshold
amount, the central server does not determine whether a bonus event will
occur. In one embodiment, the central server determines at regular
intervals whether to provide a bonus event to the active status gaming
machines. The sample rate can be any suitable rate, such as based on a
number of monetary units wagered as tracked by the accumulated wager
pool. For example, as seen in FIG. 14, a determination is made every
fifty monetary units wagered. At each predetermined interval, the central
server determines if the accumulated wager pool has reached the
predefined minimum level of wagered monetary units for all of the gaming
machines in the system including the active status and enrolled status
gaming machines.

[0121]In another embodiment, the central controller determines whether to
provide a bonus event at regular intervals based on any other suitable
sample rate, such as once every two minutes. In one embodiment, each time
interval is associated with a probability of the bonus event occurring,
wherein the probability of a bonus event occurring increases over time
until the probability of the bonus event occurring is one-hundred percent
(which may additionally coincide with a cap or limit of which the
accumulated wager pool may grow to). For example, if the probability
associated with a bonus event occurring after two minutes is 2.0%, the
probability associated with a bonus event occurring after ten minutes may
be 10.0%. In another such embodiment, even if a bonus event is determined
to occur (i.e., based on the probability associated with the elapsed time
interval), the bonus event will only occur if the accumulated wager pool
is at or above the predefined minimum threshold amount. In another such
embodiment, if the accumulated wager pool is at or above the predefined
minimum threshold amount, the central controller will begin to determine
at regular or predetermined intervals (such as every fifteen seconds)
whether to provide a bonus event.

[0122]In another embodiment, each time interval is associated with a
probability of the bonus event occurring, wherein the probability of a
bonus event occurring is based on the number of gaming machines in the
active state. In this embodiment, the greater the number of active gaming
machines in the gaming system, the greater the probability of the bonus
event occurring at each designated time interval. For example, if one
gaming machine is in the active state, the probability of the bonus event
occurring at each designated time interval may be 0.1%, if two gaming
machines are in the active state, the probability of the bonus event
occurring at each designated time interval may be 0.2% and if three
gaming machines are in the active state, the probability of the bonus
event occurring at each designated time interval may be 0.3%. In another
embodiment, each time interval is associated with a probability of the
bonus event occurring, wherein the probability of a bonus event occurring
is based on the number of credits played or wagers placed during the
previous bonus event accumulation period or bonus event qualification
period.

[0123]If the accumulated wager pool has reached the predefined minimal
level, the central server determines whether to provide the bonus event
to one of the gaming machines. In one embodiment, this is a random
determination based on a suitable probability, such as two percent, five
percent or ten percent. It should be appreciated that other suitable
methods can be employed for determining whether to provide the bonus
event to the player.

[0124]If the central server determines to provide the bonus event to the
player, the central server immediately stores the accumulated wager pool
for determining the modifier component of the bonus award and resets the
accumulated wager pool for the subsequent bonus event. This accumulated
wager pool for the subsequent bonus event will include any remainder as
discussed below.

[0125]If the accumulated wager pool has not reached the predefined minimal
level, the central server does not determine whether to provide a bonus
event to one the gaming machines in the system. If the central server
does not determine whether to provide a bonus event to one of the gaming
machines in the system or the central server determines not to provide
the bonus event to the players, the central server waits until the next
interval based on the sampling rate. In this case, the server continues
to track monetary units in each of the meters because a new bonus event
has not occurred.

[0126]It should also be appreciated that these determinations could be
combined as one function instead of two functions. More specifically, as
the accumulated wager pool reaches each of a plurality of predefined
levels, the central server will make the random determination of whether
to provide a bonus event. This eliminates the need to sample the
accumulated wager pool at regular intervals. In a further embodiment,
sampling is done only after the accumulated wager pool reaches the
predefined threshold level.

[0127]In an alternative embodiment, the gaming system can allow the gaming
machines to trigger the occurrence of the bonus event for a group of
gaming machines instead of determining if the bonus event will occur
based on a sampling rate. After a bonus event is determined to occur by
one of the gaming machines, the bonus awards are determined as described
herein.

[0128]If the central server determines to provide the bonus event, the
central server determines which active gaming machines to select to
provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server
determines which active gaming machine to select to provide the primary
bonus award based on the relative amounts of total wagers placed by the
active gaming machines during the bonus event accumulation period. In one
embodiment, the central server selects the gaming machine (to provide the
primary bonus award) which had the largest total wagers during the bonus
event accumulation period.

[0129]In another embodiment, the central server determines the relative
percentage of amounts wagered at the active gaming machines to the total
accumulated amounts wagered by those active gaming machines during the
bonus event accumulation period. In other words, the sum of the active
gaming machines total wagers placed during the bonus event accumulation
period will be used to determine a probability or percentage for each
active gaming machine of being selected to provide the primary bonus
award. The relative probabilities or percentages will almost always be
different because as stated above, players play at different rates,
players wager different amounts or players may play at different
denominations and players also often vary their own wager rates and
amounts.

[0130]It should be appreciated that if there are not active gaming
machines or no gaming machines are being played when a bonus event is
determined, in one embodiment, no gaming machines are selected to provide
the bonus award and the amount of monetary units in the accumulated wager
pool can be rolled into the next accumulated wager pool for the next or a
subsequent bonus event. In this embodiment, the controller can detect if
no gaming machines are active in the manner described above and can
detect if no machines are being played in any suitable manner, such as
based on cash outs, the existence of credits on the machines within
certain time periods and/or the presence of player tracking cards.

[0131]The central server uses the relative probabilities or percentages of
wagered amounts during the bonus event accumulation period for each
active gaming machine to randomly determine which active gaming machine
will be selected to provide the primary bonus award. Using this process,
each active gaming machine has a chance of being selected to provide the
primary bonus award. In this embodiment, the active gaming machine with
the most amount wagered during the bonus event accumulation period has
the best chance of providing the primary bonus award. On the other hand,
the active gaming machine with the least amount wagered during the bonus
event accumulation period has the worst chance of providing the primary
bonus award.

[0132]Referring back to FIG. 2 and also to FIG. 7, in this example, if
gaming machines 14a, 14b, and 14z are active, the wager meter 20a or
amount for gaming machine 14a is 110 monetary units, the wager meter 20b
or amount for gaming machine 14b is 77 monetary units and the wager meter
20z or amount for gaming machine 14z is 33 monetary units. In this
example, as each of the gaming machines 14a, 14b, 14z are active, the
applicable accumulation wager pool is 220 and the probabilities for being
selected to provide the primary bonus award for gaming machine 14a is
110/220 or 50%, for gaming machine 14b is 77/220 or 35% and for gaming
machine 14z is 33/220 or 15%. The central server will determine the
gaming machine which will provide the primary bonus award based on these
probabilities using a random number generator or random number generating
algorithm.

[0133]As illustrated in FIG. 8, in this example, if gaming machines 14b
and 14z are active and gaming machine 14a is enrolled but not active, the
wager meter or amount for gaming machine 14a is 110 monetary units, the
wager meter or amount for gaming machine 14b is 77 monetary units and the
wager meter or amount for gaming machine 14z is 33 monetary units. In
this example, as gaming machines 14b and 14z are active, the applicable
portion of the accumulation wager pool is 110 and the probabilities for
being selected to provide the primary bonus award for gaming machine 14a
is 0/110 or 0%, for gaming machine 14b is 77/110 or 70% and for gaming
machine 14z is 33/110 or 30%.

[0134]As illustrated in FIG. 9, in this example, if gaming machines 14a
and 14z are active, and gaming machine 14b is enrolled but not active,
the wager meter or amount for gaming machine 14a is 110 monetary units,
the wager meter or amount for gaming machine 14b is 77 monetary units and
the wager meter or amount for gaming machine 14c is 33 monetary units. In
this example, as gaming machines 14a and 14z are active the applicable
accumulation wager pool is 143 and the probabilities for being selected
to provide the primary bonus award for gaming machine 14a is
approximately 110/143 or 77%, for gaming machine 14b is 0/143 or 0% and
for gaming machine 14z is 33/143 or 23%.

[0135]As illustrated in FIG. 10, in this example, if gaming machine 14a is
active and gaming machines 14b and 14z are enrolled but not active, the
wager meter or amount for gaming machine 14a is 110 monetary units, the
wager meter or amount for gaming machine 14b is 77 monetary units, and
the wager meter or amount for gaming machine 14z is 33 monetary units. In
this example, as only gaming machine 14a is active, the application
accumulation wager pool is 110 and the probabilities for being selected
to provide the primary bonus award for gaming machine 14a is 110/110 or
100%, for gaming machine 14b is 0/110 or 0% and for gaming machine 14z is
0/110 or 0%.

[0136]As discussed above, a gaming machine in the group may be enrolled
but not active when a bonus event occurs. For instance, a gaming machine
may be active for a period of time during the bonus event accumulation
period, but then a player may be interrupted and allow the gaming machine
to become inactive. In one embodiment, this enrolled but not active
gaming machine is not eligible to obtain a primary or secondary bonus
award. In this example, the inactive gaming machine's accumulated
monetary units are excluded or not used in determining the relative
percentages of wagered amounts of the active gaming machines as
specifically illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 10, but are used in determining
the part of the bonus award including the modifier or multiplier
component as discussed below.

[0137]In one embodiment of the present invention, if a gaming machine is
selected to provide an award and no player is playing that selected
gaming machine during a timeout period (such as a 1 hour period), the
amount of the award or amount of the accumulated wager pool which
accounts for that award can be reallocated or rolled back into an
accumulated wager pool for a subsequent bonus award. Alternatively, said
award could be saved for a subsequent bonus event provided to another
selected gaming machine.

[0138]As indicated above and illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 10, the central
server determines which active gaming machines will be selected to
provide the bonus awards based on a true weighted average of the wagered
amounts for each active gaming machine relative to the total wagered
amounts for all active gaming machines. In an alternative embodiment, the
weighting is not truly proportional. In one such embodiment, the gaming
machine with the largest portioned wagered amounts could achieve a higher
weighting. Employing this embodiment, in the example of FIG. 7, the
weighting could be 55% for gaming machine 14a, 35% for gaming machine
14b, and 10% for gaming machine 14z. Employing this embodiment in the
example in FIG. 8, the weighting could be 80% for gaming machine 14b and
20% for gaming machine 14z. This embodiment further rewards greater
wagers during the bonus event accumulation period.

[0139]The present invention contemplates a further alternative embodiment
where a fixed percentage grid, matrix, or table is employed to determine
the relative percentages. In one such embodiment, the rank of the wager
meters of the active gaming machines determines the relative percentages
regardless of how much is accumulated in each wager meter. For example,
the higher rank could always have a 75% probability, the intermediate
rank could always have a 20% probability and the lowest rank could always
have a 5% probability. In the example where: [0140](a) gaming machine
14a has 110 monetary units, [0141](b) gaming machine 14b has 77 monetary
units, and [0142](c) gaming machine 14z has 33 monetary units, [0143]then
[0144](1) gaming machine 14a would have a 75% chance of being selected
because it has the highest rank, [0145](2) gaming machine 14b would have
a 20% chance of being selected because it has an intermediate rank, and
[0146](3) gaming machine 14z would have a 5% chance of being selected
because it has the lowest rank.These percentages are fixed regardless of
the actual ratios. It should also be appreciated that in this embodiment,
each different number of active gaming machine can have a different
table, grid or matrix associated with it. For example, the following
grids, tables or matrixes could be provided for a gaming system with six
gaming machines:

[0147]In another alternative embodiment, each gaming machine can be placed
in a category or range. If two or more gaming machines are placed in the
same category or range, than the percentage for that category or range is
divided between those gaming machines.

Central Server Determination of Number of Secondary Bonus Awards Upon
Occurrence of Bonus Event

[0148]When a bonus event is determined to occur, a primary bonus award
will be provided to the player of one of the active gaming machines as
discussed above. Additionally, in one embodiment, zero, one or more
secondary bonus awards are also provided to the players of zero, one or
more of the active gaming machines. In one embodiment, the number of
secondary awards is based on the number of active gaming machines at the
time of the occurrence of the bonus event and the maximum number of
secondary bonus awards is limited by the number of enrolled gaming
machines. In this embodiment, for each group of "x" gaming machines which
are active, one secondary bonus award is provided to one of the active
gaming machines. In one example illustrated in FIG. 13, sixty gaming
machines are enrolled in the gaming system (i.e., zero to sixty gaming
machines may be active) and each group of six gaming machines activated
during the bonus event qualification period causes an additional
secondary bonus to be awarded in the bonus event. Since groups of six
machines per secondary bonus are defined and sixty machines are enrolled,
there can be up to ten secondary bonus awards. In this example, to ensure
enough money has been wagered on average to pay for or account for the
bonus event, the first chance for the bonus event will occur after two
hundred-sixteen monetary units are on the total wager meter as discussed
below.

[0149]In the first scenario of this example, one gaming machine is active
when the bonus event occurs. In this scenario, a primary bonus award and
zero secondary bonus awards are provided by the gaming machines in the
system. In a second scenario of this example, two to six gaming machines
are active when the bonus event occurs. In this scenario, one secondary
bonus award will be provided by one of the active gaming machines in the
system which does not provide the primary bonus award. In one embodiment,
the active gaming machine which provides the primary bonus award is
excluded from this determination. In one embodiment, the secondary bonus
award will be provided by the active gaming machine with the highest
wager meter that did not provide the primary bonus award. In this
embodiment, the active gaming machine with the greatest amount wagered
during the bonus event accumulation period will be selected to provide
the secondary bonus award. It should be appreciated that this embodiment
compensates the player who wagered the most during the bonus event
accumulation period. This method creates a small advantage to the players
that play the most monetary units during the bonus event accumulation
period. In the unlikely event of a tie, in one embodiment, the central
server randomly selects the active gaming machine selected to provide the
secondary bonus award. In one embodiment, each active gaming machine has
an equal probability of being selected to obtain a secondary bonus award.
Other suitable methods can be employed in accordance with the present
invention to determine which gaming machine which will obtain any
secondary bonus award.

[0150]In a third scenario of this example, more than six gaming machines
are active when the bonus event occurs. In this scenario, the bonus event
will include multiple secondary bonus awards provided by the active
gaming machines in the system. The number of secondary bonus awards will
be based on the group size, in this example six. The number of active
gaming machines will be divided by the group size and then rounded up.
For example, if seven to twelve machines are active, the bonus event will
include two secondary bonuses awards, if thirteen to eighteen machines
are active, the bonus event will include three secondary bonus awards,
etc. This could continue for more bonus awards depending on the active
number of gaming machines. In one embodiment, similar to the second
scenario, these secondary bonus awards will be provided by the active
gaming machines with the highest wager meters during the bonus event
accumulation period. Alternatively, any suitable method, such as the
methods described above with respect to the primary award, could be used
to determine which gaming machines will be selected to provide the
secondary bonus awards.

[0151]It should thus be appreciated that in one embodiment, the central
server determines each active gaming machine which will provide the
secondary award. In alternative embodiments, a greater number of gaming
machines or all of the active gaming machines could each be selected to
provide a secondary award to the respective players. In such embodiments,
the value component of the award determined by each gaming machine (as
further discussed below) would be from a smaller range or have a smaller
expected value. In one such embodiment, the ranges would have descending
average expected values based on the order of the wager totals for such
gaming machines. The value component would be combined with the modifier
component, such as a multiplier component sent by the central server to
each gaming machine to determine the secondary bonus award provided by
each gaming machine. In a further alternative embodiment, the gaming
machine could provide a fixed or designated award or a progressive award.

Determination of the Primary Bonus Award and Secondary Bonus Award(s)

[0152]In one embodiment of the present invention, the primary bonus award
is determined based on a value or value component determined for the
primary bonus award and a modifier or modifier component determined for
the primary bonus award. The value component modified by the modifier
component results in the primary bonus award which is provided to or
received by the player. In one embodiment, the gaming machine selected to
provide the primary bonus award determines the value component of the
primary bonus award and the central server determines the modifier
component. In this embodiment, the central server determines and sends
the modifier component to the selected gaming machine.

[0153]In one embodiment of the present invention, each secondary bonus
award is determined based on a value or value component determined for
that secondary bonus award and a modifier or modifier component
determined for that secondary bonus award. The value component modified
by the modifier component forms the secondary bonus award for that gaming
machine. In one embodiment, the gaming machine selected to provide the
secondary bonus award independently determines the value component of the
secondary bonus award for that gaming machine and the central server
determines the modifier component. In this embodiment, the central server
sends the modifier component to that gaming machine. It should be
appreciated that since the value components for the secondary bonus
awards are each determined by the respective gaming machine selected to
provide the secondary bonus awards, the secondary bonus awards for each
selected gaming machine may be different.

[0154]In one embodiment of the present invention, the modifier or modifier
component determined for each primary bonus award and each secondary
bonus award is the same. In this embodiment, the central server
determines the modifier component for the bonus awards and sends the
modifier component to each of the selected gaming machines.

[0155]As discussed above, in one embodiment of the present invention, the
number of active gaming machines in the system at the time of the
occurrence of the bonus event determines the number of bonus awards
provided in the gaming system. In one embodiment, a primary bonus award
activating minimum level of gaming machines must be active for a bonus
event to occur. If the minimum level of activated gaming machine is
satisfied and the bonus event occurs, the central server will select one
of the active gaming machines to provide the primary bonus award. If
there is a primary and secondary bonus award activating minimum level of
active gaming machines and such minimum level of active gaming machines
is satisfied when the bonus event occurs, the central server will select
the gaming machines to provide the primary bonus award and secondary
bonus award(s). In one embodiment, as discussed above, the number of
secondary awards will depend on the number of active gaming machines when
the bonus event is triggered.

[0156]The determination of the value components of the primary and
secondary bonus awards is determined based on the gaming machine system
implementer's established probabilities for achieving each of the value
components. The example payout tables in FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the
probabilities for the determinations of the value components of the
primary and secondary bonus awards for one example of the gaming system
of the present invention. It should be appreciated that, in one
embodiment, the value component may be determined through one or more
bonus events. It should be further appreciated that other suitable payout
tables may be employed in accordance with the present invention.

Example Primary and Secondary Game Payouts

[0157]FIG. 13 illustrates one example which implements the primary and
secondary game payouts of FIGS. 11 and 12. In this example, certain
numbers are rounded for simplicity. As illustrated in FIG. 13, sixty
gaming machines are enrolled in the gaming system. For each bonus event,
one additional secondary bonus award is provided for each six active
gaming machines and therefore a total maximum number of ten secondary
bonus awards can be provided to the players of the gaming machines.

[0158]The average expected value or value component of the primary bonus
award is 29.2197 as illustrated in FIG. 11. More specifically, FIG. 11
illustrates the different payout values, the probability of obtaining
each different payout value and the contribution to the average expected
value for each payout value (which is the payout value multiplied by the
probability of obtaining that payout value). The average expected value
or value component for each secondary bonus award is 3.55172 as
illustrated in FIG. 12. More specifically, FIG. 12 illustrates the
different payout values, the probability of obtaining each different
payout value, and the contribution to the average expected value for each
payout value (which is the payout value multiplied by the probability of
obtaining that payout value).

[0159]In this example, there is one primary bonus award and there are ten
possible secondary bonus awards (where all sixty gaming machines are
being played and are active when the bonus event occurs). Accordingly,
the expected average total bonus value or value component paid out for
the maximum number of active gaming machines is (29.2197 for one primary
bonus award)+(3.55172×ten secondary awards)=64.7369.

[0160]In this example, the bonus event awards (i.e., the primary bonus
award and the secondary bonus awards) accounts for 30% or 0.30 of the
overall average return for the gaming machines in the system. The 30% is
a bonus percentage desired by the game designer which represents the
allotment of the total return or average expected payout for the gaming
machines in the system which is accounted for as primary bonus awards and
secondary bonus awards. This excludes awards or payouts for the primary
game and any other secondary games. This percentage can be any suitable
amount to fit with the gaming machines of the present invention.

Example of Funding of the Bonus Event and Determination of How Often Bonus
Event Can Occur

[0161]As described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, the
accumulated wager pool must be sufficiently funded or funded to a
designated level to make the first or initial random determination as to
whether the bonus event should occur. In one embodiment, the designated
level is determined based on the average total bonus pay out for the
maximum amount of active gaming machines (which is 64.7369 in this
example) divided by the dedicated bonus event percentage of the overall
average player return (which is 0.30 in this example). Thus,
(64.7369)/(0.30)=215.78966 is the minimum total number of monetary units
which must actually be in the accumulated wager pool to allow the bonus
event to occur in the example as illustrated in FIG. 13.

[0162]In this example, the target average pay of the primary bonus award
is 300 monetary units. In other words, on average, this is the amount
that the game implementer desires the player who receives the primary
bonus award to obtain or receive. It should be appreciated that this
amount can vary from this example and that game implementers desire
different target amounts for different bonuses.

[0163]As 300 is the target average pay of the primary bonus award and
29.2197 is the average pay value or value component per primary bonus
award in this example, then (300)/(29.2197) or 10.2670 is the average
multiplier which must be employed on average to reach the targeted
average primary bonus award of 300.

[0164]In this example, since 215.78966 is the total minimum number of
monetary units which must be pooled (in the accumulated wager pool) to
allow the determination of whether the bonus event will occur and 10.2670
is the average multiplier which must be employed to reach the target
average pay of the primary bonus award, then (215.78966)×(10.2670)
or 2215.5124 which is rounded to 2216 monetary units is the target
average of the accumulated wager pool per bonus award triggered. It
should also be appreciated that as described above, the amounts wagered
by all of the enrolled gaming machines during the bonus event
accumulation period are used as part of the accumulated wager pool in
determining the modifier or multiplier even though certain of the
enrolled gaming machines may not be active and thus may not be eligible
to provide a bonus award.

[0165]In this example, the sample rate which is how often the central
server will check to see if a bonus event will occur is every 50 monetary
units. It should be appreciated that the sample rate could vary. It
should also be appreciated that the sample rate could alternately be
based on an amount of time. In this example, the probability of the bonus
event occurring per sample is determined in the following manner. As the
bonus pool must be greater than 215.78966 or 216 monetary units (rounded)
to allow a bonus event determination to occur, the total number of
monetary units which must be pooled on average to allow the bonus event
to occur is the target average of the accumulated wager pool per bonus
award triggered (2215.5124 rounded to 2216 in this example) less the
minimum total number of monetary units which must actually be pooled to
allow the bonus event determination (215.78966 rounded to 216 in this
example). Thus, in this example, (2216-216) or 2000 is the average number
of the accumulated wager pool which must be used. As 2000 is the average
number of the accumulated wager pool which must be used, the probability
is determined by dividing the desired sample rate by this average
((50)/(2000)=2.5%) to determine the probability of the bonus event
occurring per sample. This probability is used to determine whether the
bonus event occurs at each sampling after the minimum level of the
accumulated wager pool is reached. It should be appreciated that any
suitable method can be used to determine this probability.

Central Server Determination of Modifier for the Primary Bonus Award and
the Secondary Bonus Award

[0166]The central server determines the modifier component, such as the
multiplier component, of the primary bonus award and the secondary bonus
award for each bonus event based on the accumulated wager pool for that
bonus event. The central server will send this modifier or multiplier
component to each gaming machine selected to provide the primary bonus
award or selected to provide a secondary bonus award. Each selected
gaming machine will use the received modifier or multiplier component and
respective value component (determined by that gaming machine) to
determine or calculate the primary bonus award or the secondary bonus
award, respectively.

[0167]In one such embodiment, the modifier or multiplier is determined
based on a ratio of the expected award to be paid versus the amount in
the accumulated wager pool. The continuing example demonstrates this
ratio.

[0168]As indicated above and in FIGS. 11 and 12, after the bonus event is
determined to occur or is triggered, the average expected value or value
component of the primary bonus award is 29.2197 monetary units and the
average expected value or value component for each secondary bonus award
is 3.5517 monetary units. While each selected gaming machine will
determine an actual amount for the value component of the award it will
provide to the player, these averages are used by the central server to
calculate the modifier or multiplier and the remainder.

[0169]An expected average bonus payout value is calculated by summing the
average expected primary bonus value (29.2197) with the product of the
average expected secondary bonus value times the number of secondary
bonuses which will be awarded (i.e., 3.55172×(# active gaming
machines)/6 (rounded up)). Thus, for [0170](a) only 1 active gaming
machine, the bonus payout value will be 29.2197, [0171](b) 2 to 6 active
gaming machines, the bonus payout value will be 32.7714; [0172](c) 7 to
12 active gaming machines, the bonus payout value will be 36.3231;
[0173](d) 13 to 18 active gaming machines, the bonus payout value will be
39.8749; [0174](e) 19 to 24 active gaming machines, the bonus payout
value will be 43.4266; [0175](f) 25 to 30 active gaming machines, the
bonus payout value will be 46.9783; [0176](g) 31 to 36 active gaming
machines, the bonus payout value will be 50.5300; [0177](h) 37 to 42
active gaming machines, the bonus payout value will be 54.0817; [0178](i)
43 to 48 active gaming machines, the bonus payout value will be 57.6335;
[0179](j) 49 to 54 active gaming machines, the bonus payout value will be
61.1852; and [0180](k) 55 to 60 active gaming machines, the bonus payout
value will be 64.7369.

[0181]The central server determines the multiplier by: (1) dividing the
accumulated wager pool by the average expected bonus payout values or
value components for the primary and secondary awards of the bonus event;
(2) taking into account that the bonus event is 30% of the overall
average payout and (3) making the multiplier a whole number or integer.
The central server sends each of the selected gaming machines the
multiplier component.

[0182]Using case (c) above as an example, there is one primary bonus award
and two secondary bonus awards (because twelve gaming machines are
active). Accordingly, the expected average bonus payout value with one
primary bonus award and two secondary bonus awards is
29.2197+(3.55172×2) or 36.3231. This, of course, is less than the
maximum expected average bonus payout value of 64.7367 in this example
which occurs with one primary bonus award and ten secondary bonus awards
as described above.

[0183]In this example, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the bonus event occurs
when the accumulated wager pool is at 2416 monetary units. In other
words, the bonus event occurred, at the fourth determination after the
total number of credits wagered per average bonus event of 2216 was
reached. This is illustrated in FIG. 14 which has a sample rate or
sampling every 50 monetary units after the first 216 monetary units are
pooled. It should be appreciated that as explained above the sampling to
determine if the bonus event will occur will not start until a minimum
level of monetary units is accumulated in the accumulated wager pool. It
should also be appreciated that the determination may not and most likely
will not occur at each specific pooled amount of monetary or sampling
level because different wager amounts are being made at different time
intervals on the different gaming machines in the gaming system.

[0184]The central server takes into account that only part (i.e., 30% or
0.30) of the overall average payout or return to the player of the gaming
machine is accounted for by the bonus event and the rest of the overall
average payout or return to the player is accounted for by the primary
game as well as other possible payouts or awards, such as a progressive
jackpot award, or other secondary or bonus games. Therefore, on average,
the coin-in must account for the payout of the bonus event. In this
example, the accumulated wager pool is at 2416 monetary units when the
central server determines that the bonus event is triggered and the bonus
percentage is 0.3, thus the amount of the accumulated wager pool which
can account for the bonus event is (2416)×(0.3) or 724.8 monetary
units.

[0185]The central server determines the multiplier based on this allocated
amount of the accumulated wager pool of 724.8 monetary units and the
expected average bonus payout for the number of gaming machines selected
for this bonus event which is 36.3231 monetary units (as indicated
above). In this example, the allocated amount of the accumulated wager
pool divided by the expected average bonus payout is (724.8)/(36.3231) or
19.9542. In this example, this amount is rounded down (i.e., truncated)
to 19 to determine the multiplier. The multiplier is preferably rounded
to avoid a non-integer multiplier which complicates the game for the
player and can also lead to fractional credits. Thus, the amount of the
allocated portion of the accumulated wager pool and the expected average
bonus payout value (i.e., a theoretical amount) is used to determine the
multiplier. The central server sends the multiplier of 19 to the gaming
machine selected to provide the primary bonus award and each gaming
machine selected to provide one of the secondary bonus awards.

[0186]The central server also uses the determined multiplier to determine
the remainder of monetary units in the accumulated wager pool which are
not accounted for in determining the multiplier and thus the awards in
the bonus event. In this example, the expected average bonus payout value
for the number of gaming machines selected times the multiplier is
(36.3231)×(19) or 690.1389 which is the average expected payout for
this example bonus event (including the primary bonus awards and
secondary bonus awards). This amount is subtracted from the bonus portion
of the accumulated wager pool to determine the bonus portion of the
remainder which is (724.8)-(690.1389) or 34.6611 monetary units. This
amount is then divided by the bonus percentage of the overall payout
which is accounted for as bonus awards in the bonus event to determine
the remainder of (34.6611)/(0.30) or 115.537 which is rounded to 116
monetary units in this example. This remainder represents the accumulated
wager pool level which is necessary to subsequently provide the
unallocated portion of the current accumulated wager pool while still
maintaining the desired average return (30% here). In this example, a
subsequent bonus event will include the 116 monetary units in the
accumulated wager pool, 30% of which is 34.8, so the unused portion of a
previous accumulated wager pool will be accounted for and dispersed in a
subsequent bonus event, thereby preserving the desired average return.
The 116 monetary units will remain in the accumulated wager pool for one
or more subsequent bonus events. It is important to track the decimal
values because this is based on the actual monetary units wagered by the
players.

[0187]It should be appreciated that this remainder is an average expected
remainder because the expected average bonus payout value is used to
calculate this remainder. This is necessary to hold the percentage since
it is theoretical and allows for volatility and the random feel of the
bonus events instead of the pooled payouts.

[0188]It should be appreciated that, in one embodiment, the central server
determines when to provide the bonus event to the gaming machines based
in part on the actual accumulated wager pool. In this embodiment, the
selected gaming machines determine the value components of the primary
bonus awards and secondary bonus awards and the central server uses the
expected average value component and the accumulated wager pool to
determine the multiplier. The central server determines the remainder
based on the accumulated wager pool and the modifier or multiplier. It
should be appreciated that the remainder is based on the expected average
value component and not the actual value components used to determine the
bonus awards. Accordingly, the remainder added back to the accumulated
bonus pool will not be an actual remainder. The accumulated wager pool
after the first bonus event will be based on the remainder and the actual
number of subsequently wagered monetary units. It should be further
appreciated that, in one embodiment, after an initial bonus event, the
accumulated wager pool for each subsequent bonus event is based in part
on the actual number of monetary unit wagers placed and in part on the
theoretical average expected remainder which is carried over from a
previous bonus event.

[0189]In this example, because the number of active gaming machines is
relatively low, the multiplier is relatively high. As the number of
active gaming machines increases, the multiplier will decrease. This is
in part because the equation accounts for the maximum number of active
gaming machines and thus the maximum number of secondary awards.

[0190]In certain instances, a gaming machine will provide a negative
return and in some instance, a gaming machine will overhold, but in the
long run it should balance out. As described above, as the expected
average bonus payout amount is employed instead of the actual payout
amount, the provided bonus awards can have a great volatility over the
short term while providing the player with the average expected values
over the long term. That is, as the multiplier component is based, at
least in part, on an expected average bonus payout value for the bonus
event and not on the actual selected bonus payout values for the bonus
event, the determined modifier or multiplier component may at times cause
an over hold or an under hold of the actual accumulated wager pool.

[0191]An over hold of the actual accumulated wager pool occurs when the
selected gaming machine(s) provide less primary and secondary bonus
awards than the gaming system should theoretically provide as primary and
secondary bonus awards based on the percentage of the overall paytable
allocated to be paid out as primary and secondary bonus awards. For
example, using the calculations described above and illustrated in FIG.
13, if sixty gaming machines are active and the central server determines
that a bonus event will occur when the accumulated wager pool has reached
2250 monetary units, then the central server will determine a multiplier
component of 10 (rounded from 10.4268) or (2250×0.3)/64.7369. If
the gaming machines selected to provide the primary bonus award and the
ten secondary bonus awards each select a payout of 1, then the primary
bonus award will be 10 monetary units and each secondary bonus award will
be 10 monetary units. In this example, the total bonus awards provided in
the bonus event will be 110 monetary units which is significantly less
than the 675 (i.e., 2250×0.3) monetary units which should
theoretically be provided as the primary and secondary bonus awards.
Accordingly, this example causes an over hold for the selected gaming
machine of 565 monetary units. In other words, a low value component
coupled with a low multiplier may cause an over hold of the actual
accumulated wager pool to occur. These credits are not returned to the
pool because the following scenario can occur.

[0192]On the other hand, an under hold of the actual accumulated wager
pool occurs when the selected gaming machine(s) provide more primary and
secondary bonus awards than the gaming system should theoretically
provide as primary and secondary bonus awards based on the percentage of
the overall average payout to be paid out as primary and secondary bonus
awards. For example, using the calculations described above and
illustrated in FIG. 13, if only one gaming machine is active and the
central server determines that a bonus event will occur when the
accumulated wager pool has reached 2600 monetary units, then the central
server will determine a multiplier component of 26 (rounded from the
26.6943) or (2600×0.3)/29.2197. If the gaming machine selected to
provide the primary bonus award selects a payout of 100, then the primary
bonus award will be 2600 monetary units. In this example, the total bonus
award provided in the bonus event of 2600 monetary units is significantly
more than the 780 (i.e., 2600×0.3) monetary units which should
theoretically be provided as the primary and secondary bonus awards.
Accordingly, this example causes an under hold by the gaming machine of
1820 monetary units. In other words, a high value component coupled with
a high multiplier may cause an under hold of the actual accumulated wager
pool to occur. It should be appreciated that while these instances of
over holding and under holding may occur and increase volatility of the
payouts of the gaming system, over the long term play of the gaming
system, the payouts will theoretically equate with the average expected
payouts illustrated above and desired by the game implementer.

[0193]In one embodiment, any unaccepted awards become part of the
remainder that is returned to or remains in the accumulated wager pool
for a subsequent bonus event. For example, if a gaming machine is
selected to provide a primary award, but the player of that gaming
machine, not knowing that the gaming machine has been selected and they
will achieve a bonus event on the next play, leaves the selected gaming
machine prior to that play, the primary award is unaccepted and returned
to the accumulated wager pool as part of the remainder. In another
embodiment, no secondary awards may be provided to any players of gaming
machines of the gaming system until the primary award is provided to a
player of a gaming machine of the gaming system. For example, if one
gaming machine is selected to provide a primary award, at least another
gaming machine is selected to provide a secondary award and the player of
the gaming machine selected to provide the primary award cashes out and
leaves the selected gaming machine, then the primary award is unaccepted
and thus no secondary awards may be provided to any players either. In
another embodiment, if a primary award is unaccepted, then a gaming
machine selected to provide a secondary award is selected to provide the
unaccepted primary award. For example, if one gaming machine is selected
to provide a primary award, one gaming machine is selected to provide a
secondary award and the player of the gaming machine selected to provide
the primary award cashes out and leaves the selected gaming machine, then
the primary award is unaccepted and the player of the gaming machine
selected to provide a secondary award is provided the unaccepted primary
award. In such an embodiment, the secondary award may or may not also be
provided to the player of the gaming machine selected to provide a
secondary award.

[0194]FIGS. 15, 16a, 16b, 16c and 17 illustrate an example of the present
invention wherein four players are playing four gaming machines enrolled
in the gaming system. In this example, upon the first player(s)
initiating game play on system gaming machine(s), a first bonus event
accumulation period begins as indicated by block 302 in FIG. 15. In this
example, as seen in FIG. 16A, Player A is playing at a $2 denomination
gaming machine 14a at an average rate of one play of the primary game
every twenty seconds and Player B is playing at a $1 denomination machine
gaming machine 14b at an average rate of one play of the primary game
every fifteen seconds. The amounts wagered at the enrolled gaming
machines in the system are tracked by the central server and accumulated
in an accumulated wager pool as indicated by block 304 of FIG. 15. It
should be appreciated that even though Player A and Player B are playing
different denomination gaming machines, the system equates and tracks
each player's wagers in terms of monetary units. In this example, each
penny or $0.01 wagered at a gaming machine in the system is equivalent to
one monetary unit. Thus, in this example, the system equates and tracks
one play of gaming machine 14a by Player A as two-hundred monetary units
and one play of gaming machine 14b by Player B is equated to and tracked
as one-hundred monetary units.

[0195]At regular intervals, the central server samples the amount of
monetary units wagered in the accumulated wager pool to determine whether
the accumulated wager pool is at or above a minimum threshold level as
indicated by block 306 and diamond 308 of FIG. 15. In this example, the
sampling rate is every one-thousand monetary units wagered and the
minimum threshold level is five-thousand monetary units wagered. As
illustrated in the timeline of FIG. 17, after Player A has wagered
six-hundred monetary units and Player B has wagered four-hundred monetary
units, a total of one-thousand monetary units has been wagered or placed
into the accumulated wager pool. As the accumulated wager pool is not at
or above the predefined minimum threshold level, the central server
determines that a bonus event will not occur and the bonus event
accumulation period continues as indicated in block 304 of FIG. 15.

[0196]As illustrated in FIGS. 16a and 17, when the current accumulated
wager pool is at one-thousand wagered units, Player C begins playing at a
$0.50 denomination gaming machine 14c at an average rate of one play of
the primary game every ten seconds and Player D begins playing at a $0.10
denomination gaming machine 14d at an average rate of one play of the
primary game every six seconds. As described above, even though the four
gaming machines each enable play at different denominations, the central
server equates and tracks each player's wagers in terms of wagered units
or monetary units (i.e., wherein each $0.01 wagered equals one monetary
unit) and thus one play of gaming machine 14c by Player C is tracked as
fifty monetary units and one play of gaming machine 14d by Player D is
tracked as ten monetary units.

[0197]In this example, after another thousand monetary units are wagered
(i.e., the accumulated wager pool grows to two-thousand accumulated
monetary units), the central server again samples the accumulated wager
pool to determine if the accumulated wager pool is at or above the
predefined threshold level of five-thousand monetary units. As the
accumulated wager pool is not at or above the predefined threshold level,
the central server determines that a bonus event will not occur and the
bonus event accumulation period continues.

[0198]As seen in FIG. 17, this process of sampling the accumulated wager
pool every thousand wagered monetary units continues as described above
until the central server determines that the accumulated wager pool has
reached at least the predefined threshold level of five-thousand wagered
units. At this point, the central server randomly determines whether or
not to provide a bonus event as indicated in block 310 and diamond 312 of
FIG. 15. As described above, after the minimum level of the accumulated
wager pool is reached, the central server utilizes a determined
probability of the bonus event occurring per sample to determine whether
or not to provide a bonus event. In this example, after five-thousand
wagered units are accumulated in the accumulated wager pool (i.e., the
predefined threshold level is reached), the central server determines
that a bonus event will not occur based on the probability determination
and the bonus event accumulation period continues as indicated in block
304 of FIG. 15.

[0199]After another one-thousand monetary units are wagered (i.e., the
accumulated wager pool grows to six-thousand accumulated monetary units),
the central server again samples the accumulated wager pool to determine
if the accumulated wager pool is at or above the predefined threshold
level of five-thousand units. As the accumulated wager pool is at
six-thousand units which is above the predefined threshold level, the
central server randomly determines whether or not to provide a bonus
event based on the probability determination. In this example, the
central sever determines not to provide a bonus event and thus the bonus
event accumulation period continues with the amounts wagered at the four
gaming machines funding the accumulated wager pool.

[0200]As illustrated in FIG. 17, after another one-thousand monetary units
are wagered (i.e., the accumulated wager pool grows to seven-thousand
accumulated monetary units), the central server again samples the
accumulated wager pool to determine if the accumulated wager pool is at
or above the predefined threshold level of five-thousand units. As the
accumulated wager pool is at seven-thousand units which is above the
predefined threshold level, the central server randomly determines
whether or not to provide a bonus event based on the probability
determination. In this example, the central sever determines not to
provide a bonus event and the bonus event accumulation period continues.

[0201]After another one-thousand monetary units are wagered (i.e., the
accumulated wager pool grows to eight-thousand accumulated monetary
units), the central server again samples the accumulated wager pool to
determine if the accumulated wager pool is at or above the predefined
threshold level of five-thousand units. As the accumulated wager pool is
at eight-thousand units which is above the predefined threshold level,
the central server randomly determines whether or not to provide a bonus
event. In this example, the central sever determines to provide a bonus
event and thus the accumulated wager pool is set or closed as indicated
by block 314 of FIG. 15. Once the accumulated wager pool is set or
closed, any subsequent wagers by the enrolled gaming machines will be
applied toward a subsequent accumulated wager pool and not the set or
closed accumulated wager pool. As seen in FIG. 17, after the accumulated
wager pool is set or closed, a subsequent accumulated wager pool begins
or opens with an initial accumulated amount of zero wagers. The central
sever will sample this accumulated wager pool at regular intervals to
determine whether the accumulated wager pool is at or above a minimum
threshold level as described above.

[0202]After the accumulated wager pool is set or closed, the central
server determines which of the four enrolled gaming machines were active
during a bonus event qualification period as indicated by block 316 of
FIG. 15. In this example, the bonus event qualification period is the
thirty seconds prior to the determination that a bonus event will occur.
In this example, a gaming machine is considered in active status when,
during the bonus event qualification period, a player has made at least
four plays of the primary game regardless of the amount wagered or the
player has wagered a minimum of two-hundred units in the primary game. In
this embodiment, a gaming machine is being actively played if one of two
separate criteria (i.e., the minimum amount wagered requirement or the
minimum frequency of wagers placed requirement) are satisfied. However,
it should be appreciated that, as described above, any number of
different criteria alone or in combination may be employed in accordance
with the present invention. For example, a gaming machine may be
considered in active status when a player has played at least one primary
game in the ten or fifteen seconds preceding the determination to provide
a bonus event.

[0203]In this example, as illustrated in FIG. 16A, since one wager for
two-hundred monetary units (i.e., one $2 wager) was placed at gaming
machine 14a during the thirty seconds prior to the determination that a
bonus event will occur, the central server determines that gaming machine
14a was in active status (i.e., satisfied the minimum amount wagered
requirement) during the bonus event qualification period. Since two
wagers for one-hundred monetary units each (i.e., two $1 wagers) were
placed at gaming machine 14b during the thirty seconds prior to the
determination that a bonus event will occur, the central server
determines that gaming machine 14b was in active status (i.e., satisfied
the minimum amount wagered requirement) during the bonus event
qualification period. Since three wagers for fifty monetary units each
(i.e., three $0.50 wagers) were placed at gaming machine 14c during the
thirty seconds prior to the determination that a bonus event will occur,
the central server determines that gaming machine 14c was not in active
status (i.e., did not satisfy the minimum amount wagered requirement or
the minimum frequency of wagers placed requirement) during the bonus
event qualification period. Since five wagers for ten monetary units each
(i.e., five $0.10 wagers) were placed at gaming machine 14d during the
thirty seconds prior to the determination that a bonus event will occur,
the central server determines that gaming machine 14d was in active
status (i.e., satisfied the frequency of wagers placed requirement)
during the bonus event qualification period.

[0204]After determining which of the enrolled gaming machines were in
active status during the bonus event qualification period, the central
server next determines how many, if any, secondary bonus awards will be
provided for this bonus event as indicated by block 318 of FIG. 15. In
this example, as described above, since there are between two and six
active gaming machines, one secondary bonus award will be provided for
this bonus event.

[0205]After determining how many bonus awards to provide for this bonus
event, the central server determines a modifier or multiplier component
for the bonus awards to be provided as indicated by block 320 of FIG. 15.
As described above, the central server determines the multiplier
component based on the expected average value component (which is itself
based on the number of bonus awards to be provided) and the accumulated
wager pool. In this example, the central server determined a multiplier
component of 15×.

[0206]After determining a modifier or multiplier component, the central
server selects one the determined active gaming machines to receive a
primary bonus award as indicated by block 322 of FIG. 15. The central
server's selection of one of the active gaming machines is based on the
relative total amounts of monetary units wagered by each of the active
gaming machines during the bonus event accumulation period. For example,
as illustrated in FIG. 16b, as gaming machines 14a, 14b, and 14d are
active, the player(s) on gaming machine 14a wagered
three-thousand-six-hundred monetary units during the bonus event
accumulation period, the player(s) on gaming machine 14b wagered
two-thousand-four-hundred monetary units during the bonus event
accumulation period and the player(s) on gaming machine 14d wagered
five-hundred monetary units during the bonus event accumulation period,
the applicable accumulation wager pool is six-thousand-five-hundred
monetary units. It should be appreciated that, as described above, unless
each enrolled gaming machine was active during the bonus event
qualification period, the total amount wagered during the bonus event
accumulation period will not correspond with the applicable amount
wagered during the bonus event accumulation period (which only includes
the amounts wagered at active gaming machines).

[0207]In this example, based on the relative total amounts of monetary
units wagered by each of the active gaming machines during the bonus
event accumulation period, the probabilities for being awarded the
primary bonus award for gaming machine 14a is 55% (i.e., 3600/6500), for
gaming machine 14b is 37% (i.e., 2400/6500) and for gaming machine 14d is
8% (i.e., 500/6500). With these determined probabilities and one or more
random number generators or random number generating algorithms, the
central server will select one of the active gaming machines to provide
the primary bonus award. In this example, based on these determined
probabilities, the central server selected gaming machine 14a to provide
the primary bonus award. It should be appreciated that in this example,
as more monetary units were wagered at gaming machine 14a during the
bonus event accumulation period, gaming machine 14a has the greatest odds
or probability of being selected to provide the primary bonus award. That
is, even though significantly more primary games were played at gaming
machine 14d during the bonus event accumulation period, the central
server accounts for the wager in monetary units of each play as well as
the number of primary games played in determining the odds of which
gaming machine will be selected to provide the primary bonus award.

[0208]If at least one secondary bonus award will not be provided to the
player for this bonus event, the central server communicates the
determined modifier or multiplier component to the selected gaming
machine as indicated by diamond 324 and block 326 of FIG. 15. The gaming
machine selected to provide the primary bonus award then determines a
value component of the primary bonus award as indicated by block 328 of
FIG. 15. As described above, each gaming machine determines each value
component based on the probabilities associated with each of the possible
value components. That is, each of the possible value components or
payout values is associated with a probability and the gaming machine
selects one of the possible value components or payout values based on
these probabilities. As indicated by block 330 of FIG. 15, the gaming
machine selected to receive the primary bonus award next determines the
primary bonus award based on the determined modifier or multiplier
component and the determined value component. The primary bonus award is
then provided to the player of the selected gaming machine as indicated
by block 332 of FIG. 15 and this bonus event is complete.

[0209]For illustration purposes, if at least one secondary bonus award
will not be provided to the player for this bonus event (i.e., only one
gaming machine is active), the central server would communicate the
multiplier component of 15× to selected gaming machine 14a. Gaming
machine 14a would then select a value component of ten and determine a
primary bonus award of one-hundred-fifty based on multiplying the
determined value component of ten by the determined multiplier of
15×. This determined primary bonus award of one-hundred-fifty would
be provided to the player of gaming machine 14a and this bonus event
would be complete.

[0210]On the other hand, if the central server previously determined that
at least one secondary bonus award will be provided to the player for
this bonus event, the central server selects one of the determined active
gaming machines (not previously selected to receive the primary bonus
award) for each secondary bonus award to be provided, as indicated by
diamond 324 and block 334 of FIG. 15. In this example, the central server
will automatically select the gaming machine with the highest applicable
amount of monetary units wagered during the accumulation period which was
not selected to receive the primary bonus award. As seen in FIGS. 16b and
16c, in this example, with a wager equated to two-thousand-four-hundred
monetary units, gaming machine 14b wagered the highest applicable amount
of monetary units during the accumulation period without being selected
to provide the primary bonus award and thus gaming machine 14b is
associated with a 100% probability of being selected for the secondary
bonus award. Accordingly, based on associated probability, gaming machine
14b is selected to provide the one determined secondary bonus award.

[0211]The central server then communicates the determined multiplier
component to the selected gaming machine as indicated by block 336 of
FIG. 15. In this example, the central server would communicate the
determined multiplier of 15× to each of the selected gaming
machines 14a and 14b. It should be appreciated that if at least one
secondary bonus award will be provided, the central server communicates
the determined multiplier to each gaming machine selected to provide a
secondary bonus award as well as the gaming machine selected to provide
the primary bonus award.

[0212]Each of the gaming machines selected to provide a secondary bonus
award individually determines a value component for the secondary bonus
award they will provide as indicated by block 338 of FIG. 15. As
described above, each gaming machine determines each value component
based on the probabilities associated with each of the possible secondary
bonus award value components. In this example, gaming machine 14b selects
the value component of five based on the probabilities associated with
each of the possible secondary bonus award value components.

[0213]As indicated by block 340 of FIG. 15, each gaming machine selected
to provide a secondary bonus award next determines the secondary bonus
award they will provide based on the determined modifier or multiplier
component and the value component that the gaming device determined. In
this example, for the one secondary bonus award provided, gaming machine
14b would determine a secondary bonus award of seventy-five based on
multiplying the determined value component of five by the determined
multiplier of 15×. Each gaming machine selected to provide a
secondary bonus award then provides the player of that selected gaming
machine the determined secondary bonus award as indicated by block 342 of
FIG. 15.

[0214]It should be appreciated that as each gaming device selected to
provide a secondary bonus award individually determines the value
component which will be modified by the central server determined
modifier, there may be significant differences in value between any two
or more secondary bonus awards. For example, if a first gaming machine
selects the secondary bonus award value component of one and a second
gaming machine selects the secondary bonus award value component of ten,
then using the central server determined multiplier component of
15×, the first gaming machine will be provided a secondary bonus
award of fifteen while the second gaming machine will be provided a
secondary bonus award of one-hundred-fifty.

[0215]Along with each secondary bonus award provided to the player, the
gaming machine selected to provide the primary bonus award to a player
also determines and provides a primary bonus award to a player as
indicated by block 328 of FIG. 15. While the determination of a primary
bonus award is illustrated as occurring after the determination of each
of the secondary bonus awards, it should be appreciated that the
determination of the primary bonus award may occur prior to, simultaneous
with or after the determination of each secondary bonus award.

[0216]In the above embodiment, a single modifier or multiplier is
determined and sent by the controller to each gaming machine which is
selected to provide a bonus award (i.e., a primary bonus award or a
secondary bonus award) to the player of that selected gaming machine. In
the alternative embodiment where all of the active gaming machines are
selected to provide a bonus award, the modifier or multiplier for each
active gaming machine can equal the ratio or relative percentage of wager
amounts for that gaming machine. The single modifier or multiplier can be
divided into a plurality of individual gaming machine modifiers or
multipliers. This division can be based on the relative percentages of
the wagers of such gaming machines during the bonus event accumulation
period. These are the same ratios used to determine which gaming machine
will be selected to provide the primary bonus award as described above.

[0217]In one example of this embodiment, the multiplier is determined to
be 20× and there are three active gaming machines in the system.
The relative percentages of wagered amounts and the split of the
multiplier component is illustrated below:

[0218]In this embodiment, one table instead of two can be employed to
determine the value components for the primary and secondary awards
determined by each of the active gaming machines because the individual
modifiers or multipliers account for the different award levels.

Cap for Modifier Component

[0219]In one embodiment, the gaming system includes a cap for the bonus
modifier or multiplier. In the above example, the cap is 200. This
prevents the gaming machines from overflowing the bonus displays or
awarding a jackpot larger than desired. In the example, if the total
wagered meter results in a bonus multiplier of 210, only the maximum
multiplier of 200 will be sent to the gaming machine which wins the
primary bonus award and the extra 10 times the bonus award value will be
part of the remainder that is returned to the accumulated wager pool for
a subsequent bonus event. In one embodiment, the controller can guarantee
that a bonus event will occur after enough monetary units are accumulated
in the accumulated wager pool such that the maximum multiplier will be
determined by the controller.

Accumulated Wager Pool Resetting After Bonus Event

[0220]As mentioned above, in one embodiment, after each bonus event, the
accumulated wager pool is reset to a remainder value based on any
unaccounted for monetary units in determining the modifier component of
the bonus award. In one embodiment, the enrolled gaming machines wager
meters are also zeroed out regardless of whether such machines were
active or not at the occurrence of the bonus event. In another
embodiment, the wager meters are not zeroed out and/or respectively
include a percentage of the previous wager meters.

[0221]It should also be appreciated that the present invention
contemplates other methods for increasing the individual gaming machine
meters or changing the percentage the gaming machine has in being
selected to provide a bonus award. For instance, the gaming system can
allow the players to place one or more side wagers or additional wagers
to have a greater relative percentage of obtaining the primary bonus
award or the secondary bonus award.

Wager Levels

[0222]In one alternative embodiment of the present invention, a minimum
wager level is required for a gaming machine to qualify to be selected to
obtain the primary award or be considered in the determination of which
gaming machine is active and thus may be selected to obtain the primary
award. In one embodiment, this minimum wager level is the maximum wager
level for the primary game in the gaming machine. This requirement is in
addition to the requirement that the gaming machine be active to qualify
for the determination of which gaming machine will be selected to obtain
the primary award.

[0223]In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, a
minimum wager level is required for a gaming machine to qualify to be
selected to obtain one of the secondary bonus awards or be considered in
the determination of which gaming machines are active and thus may be
selected to obtain the secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, this
minimum wager level is the maximum wager level for the primary game in
the gaming machine. This requirement is in addition to the requirement
that the gaming machine be active to qualify for the determination of
which gaming machine will be selected to obtain the primary award.

[0224]Another method for determining if the gaming machine is active is
whether or not the player has wagered a minimum level of monetary units
since the occurrence of the last bonus event.

Awards Can be Provided in Conjunction with a Primary or Secondary Game

[0225]In the above described embodiments of the present invention, the
gaming machines do not provide any apparent reasons to the players for
obtaining the primary or secondary bonus awards. In alternative
embodiments, the bonus awards can be triggered by an event in or based
specifically on a play of a primary game or a play of a secondary game of
the gaming machines selected to provide the primary or secondary bonus
award.

[0226]In one alternative embodiment, the bonus awards are accounted for as
part of the average payouts instead of being accounted for based on the
accumulated wager pool. In this embodiment, the accumulated wager pool is
still employed to determine when the bonus event is triggered and which
gaming machines will be selected to provide the bonus award(s). However,
the accumulated wager pool is not employed to determine the amount of the
bonus award and particularly not the amount of a bonus modifier or
multiplier component. In this embodiment, there is no need for a minimum
threshold level for determining if the bonus event determination can be
made. In other words, the central server can immediately start checking
at the interval of the sampling rate whether to provide a bonus event. In
this alternative embodiment, the gaming system does not have to employ a
minimum threshold to trigger the bonus event because the bonus award is
accounted for directly in the paytables of the gaming machines of the
gaming system instead of by the accumulated wager pool. It should also be
appreciated that the bonus awards could be fixed or predetermined
amounts.

[0227]In another embodiment, a bonus award may be based, at least in part,
on the occurrence of one or more events at one gaming machine and also,
at least in part, on a determination by a central controller based on a
plurality of gaming machines in a gaming system. In certain such
embodiments, upon a secondary or bonus game triggering event, a secondary
or bonus game is triggered. In this embodiment, the secondary or bonus
game proceeds and a secondary game award or bonus game award is
determined based on the play of the secondary or bonus game.
Additionally, the play of the secondary or bonus game determines which of
any of a plurality of bonus awards may be provided to the player,
wherein, as described above, the plurality of bonus awards are
determined, at least in part, by the amounts wagered at a plurality of
gaming machines in the gaming system. Accordingly, the total award
provided to the player is based on: (i) any determined secondary game
award or bonus game award determined during the play of the secondary or
bonus game; and (ii) one of a plurality of bonus awards which is selected
based on the play of the secondary or bonus game, wherein the amounts of
the plurality of bonus awards are determined, at least in part, by a
central controller.

[0228]For example, if the secondary or bonus game is a free game or free
activation game, the player may be provided a designated number of free
games, such as free spins. During each free game, the gaming device
determines any free game awards associated with any generated winning
symbol combinations and the gaming device may or may not accumulate any
designated symbols. After each of the designated number of free games are
provided to the player, the gaming machine determines, based on the
accumulated number of designated symbols, which of any of a plurality of
bonus awards, such as which of any of a plurality of progressive awards,
to provide to the player. That is, designated symbols (or points
associated with designated symbols) accumulate during the free games and
a progressive award level is determined based on the number of
accumulated designated symbols (or accumulated points). The determined
bonus award and any determined free game awards are combined to be
provided to the player as one overall award. It should be appreciated
that as the plurality of bonus awards are determined by the central
controller, which of those bonus awards the player may be provided is
determined, at least in part, based on one or more events at one of the
gaming machines in the gaming system and any determined free game awards
are determined based on one or more events at one of the gaming machines
in the gaming system, in this embodiment, the overall award is
determined, at least partially based on a determination at a central
controller (i.e., the progressive award) and at least partially based on
a determination during a free game sequence at a gaming machine (i.e.,
the free game sequence award).

[0229]In another embodiment wherein the symbols generated by the gaming
device function in determining both the free game awards and which of a
plurality of progressive awards to provide to the player, one, more or
each of the reels include locking symbols. In this embodiment, when a
locking symbol is generated on a reel, the reel which generated the
locking symbols is locked for the remainder of the free game. When each
of the provided free games have been played, in addition to any
determined free game awards, one of a plurality of bonus awards (i.e.,
one of a plurality of progressive awards) is provided to the player based
on the number of locked reels. In another embodiment with locking
symbols, each of the reels is associated with a different bonus
award/progressive award. In this embodiment, when a locking symbol is
generated on a reel, in addition to any determined free game awards, the
bonus award/progressive award associated with the reel which generated
the locking symbol is provided to the player. It should be appreciated
that any suitable manner of determining an award may be implemented,
wherein part of the award is determined by a central controller and part
of the award is determined by an individual gaming device.

Progressive Award Embodiment

[0230]In one embodiment, the bonus event includes a progressive award. In
one embodiment, the bonus awards include a plurality of progressive
awards. The progressive awards are associated with the system gaming
machines which each contribute portions of the progressive awards. The
multiple gaming machines may be in the same bank of machines, in the same
casino or gaming establishment such as through LAN or in two or more
different casinos or gaming establishments such as through a WAN. It
should thus be appreciated that in one or more embodiments, the
controller may also function as a progressive controller.

[0231]In one embodiment, the progressive awards start at different levels
such as $10, $100, $1000 and $10,000. This is directly funded in a
conventional manner. The progressive awards accumulate based on a small
percentage (such as 0.1%) of coin-in or wagered amounts in a conventional
manner. In one embodiment, the percentage that goes to each progressive
award is equal (such as 0.1% to each of four progressive awards). In
other embodiments, two or more of the progressive awards may be funded by
different percentages.

[0232]In one embodiment, when the bonus event occurs, the central server
determines one of the active gaming machines to provide one of the
progressive awards in the same manner as described above. The central
server determines which active gaming machine to give the progressive
award to based on the weighted average of the wagers placed for the
active gaming machines as in the above embodiment. Alternatively, the
gaming system could employ a suitable alternative method for selecting
which gaming machine will provide the progressive award. In one
embodiment, the gaming system includes a symbol driven progressive
jackpot award for the gaming machines. In another embodiment, one of the
progressive awards is provided to one of the gaming machines in the
system as part of a bonus game triggered in a subsequent play of the
primary game. In other words, after the central server determines that a
bonus event will occur, the bonus event is provided to the selected
active gaming machine as a bonus event or as part of a bonus event
triggered from a subsequently played primary game.

[0233]As generally illustrated in FIG. 18, in one embodiment of the
present invention which includes progressive awards, the bonus outcome or
how well a player does in the bonus game will determine which progressive
award is provided to the player from the plurality of progressive awards
90a, 90b, 90c and 90d. In one embodiment, if the bonus outcome is at a
first level, the first progressive award 90a is provided to the player,
if the bonus outcome is at a second level, the second progressive award
90b is provided to the player, if the bonus outcome is at a third level,
the third progressive award 90c is provided to the player and if the
bonus outcome is at a fourth level, the fourth progressive award 90d is
provided to the player. In one embodiment, each level from level 1 to
level 4 is harder for the player to obtain or is less likely to occur.
The progressive award at each respective level is larger or at least
initially funded in at a greater denomination. It should be appreciated
that any suitable bonus game including free games, such as free spins,
may be implemented to determine which level and accordingly, which
progressive award is provided to the player.

[0234]In one embodiment, the central server continues to increase the
progressive levels until the progressive award is actually won by a
player. It should be appreciated that in one embodiment, the progressive
meters continue to increment because the central server does not
determine which award to provide to the selected gaming machine but as
described above, which progressive award is provided to the selected
gaming machine is determined based on the play of a subsequent bonus
game. In this embodiment, because the progressive awards continue to
increase until they are actually won by the player, a player may wait to
allow the progressive awards to increase after the player triggers the
bonus game. To encourage a player to finish or complete the bonus game
and obtain one of the progressive awards, a suitable encouragement
mechanism may be employed in accordance with the present invention. One
way to encourage the player to play the bonus game quickly after it is
triggered (and obtain one of the progressive awards) is to provide that
another gaming machine in the system can be awarded another or subsequent
bonus event by the central server and win one of the progressive awards.
Therefore, the second player can win one of the higher progressive
awards. After the second player wins one of the progressive awards, that
progressive award would be reset to the minimum amount for that
progressive award level. Therefore, the first player would have a lower
average expected award because one of the progressive awards has been
reset to the starting value for that level.

[0235]For example, if based on the probability of being selected for a
bonus award as described above in relation to FIGS. 16a and 16b, gaming
machine 14b is selected to obtain one of the progressive awards, then a
suitable bonus event will be triggered during a subsequently played
primary game at gaming machine 14b. After the triggering of the bonus
event, gaming machine 14b enables the player to play a bonus or secondary
game wherein one of a plurality of different outcomes will be provided to
the player in the secondary game. The secondary game includes a plurality
of different outcomes wherein each different outcome is associated with a
probability of being provided to the player. For example, secondary game
outcome A is associated with a 40% probability of being provided to the
player, secondary game outcome B is associated with a 30% probability of
being provided to the player, secondary game outcome C is associated with
a 20% probability of being provided to the player and secondary game
outcome D is associated with a 10% probability of being provided to the
player. In the secondary game, each different outcome corresponds or is
associated with one of a plurality of progressive awards. For example,
secondary game outcome A is associated with progressive award 1,
secondary game outcome B is associated with progressive award 2,
secondary game outcome C is associated with progressive award 3 and
secondary game outcome D is associated with progressive award 4. As each
progressive award corresponds with a secondary game outcome which is
associated with a probability, each progressive award is associated with
a probability of being provided to the player. It should be appreciated
that in this example, the secondary game outcome with the highest
probability of being selected is associated with the lowest progressive
award, while the secondary game outcome with the lowest probability of
being selected is associated with the highest progressive award.

[0236]In operation, the player plays the provided bonus or secondary game
and based on the associated probabilities, one of the plurality of
outcomes is provided to the player. The progressive award corresponding
with the provided outcome is provided to the player and the secondary
game ends. In this example, the player of gaming machine 14b obtained
secondary game outcome B in the secondary game and thus the player was
provided progressive award 2 which, as illustrated in FIG. 18, was at an
amount of $133. It should be appreciated that after the progressive award
is provided to the player, the central server resets the provided
progressive award to a determined initially funded amount.

[0237]In one embodiment, the gaming system must payout at least the base
or reset value of the progressive award when a bonus event is hit because
at least this base progressive value is built into the paytable of the
gaming system. A potential problem arises if a gaming machine is selected
to provide the bonus award and the player of that gaming machine does not
know that the gaming machine has been selected. For instance, the player
may cash out because the player does not know the player will achieve a
bonus event on the next play and thus may not play the next primary game
where the player would trigger a bonus game in which the bonus amount
would be determined. In such a case, the central server picks another
gaming machine to provide the bonus event. This can be done randomly or
in any other suitable manner. In one embodiment, the player with the
highest accumulated number of monetary units during the bonus event
accumulation period can receive the bonus event. In another embodiment,
this determination can be suitably weighted. In an alternative
embodiment, the first player to play one of the gaming machines in the
system is awarded the bonus event. In one embodiment, the central server
informs the player of the selected gaming device that the player will
receive one of the progressive awards.

[0238]For example, if based on the example described above, the gaming
system determines that gaming machine 14b will be provided one of the
plurality of progressive awards during a subsequent play of the primary
game. The player of gaming machine 14b has however cashed out of gaming
machine 14b prior to any subsequent play of the primary game (with no
other player initiating game play at gaming machine 14b). In this case,
as the gaming system must payout at least one of the plurality of
progressive awards (as required by the paytable of the gaming system),
the gaming system must select another one of the gaming machines in the
gaming system to provide one of the plurality of progressive awards. In
this example, based on the probability of being selected for a bonus
award as described above in FIGS. 16a and 16b, the central server selects
gaming device 14a to be provided one of the plurality of progressive
awards. Accordingly, on a subsequent play of a primary game at gaming
machine 14a, the central server causes a secondary game triggering event
to occur. The secondary game is played and based on the secondary game
outcome obtained in the secondary game, one of the plurality of
progressive awards is provided to the player as described above.

[0239]In one embodiment, a bonus event may be pending if no gaming
machines in the system are active or being played. Thus, a new player of
one of the gaming machines in the system can achieve the pending bonus
award on that player's first play of the primary game on one of the
gaming machines in the system.

[0240]In one alternative embodiment, the gaming machines require an
additional wager to fund the bonus awards or progressives awards. For
example, the accumulated wager pool is funded, at least partially, via a
side-bet or side-wager which the player may make (and which is tracked,
in one embodiment, via a side-bet meter). In one embodiment, the
accumulated wager pool is funded with only side-bets or side-wagers
placed. In another embodiment, the accumulated wager pool is funded based
on player's wagers as described above as well as any side-bets or
side-wagers placed. In another embodiment, a gaming machine can only be
active if such additional wager is made by the player. In this
embodiment, a side-bet or side-wager must be placed (and tracked via a
side-bet meter) at a gaming machine of the gaming system for that gaming
machine to be classified as in the active state.

[0241]It should be appreciated that this embodiment eliminates the need
for the modifier or multiplier component because fixed starting values
for the progressive award are built into the paytables and the minimum
amounts are guaranteed to be paid out. Therefore, monetary units do not
have to be rolled back into the accumulated wager pool to increase a
subsequent modifier or multiplier and no remainder needs to be calculated
and added to the accumulated wager pool.

[0242]It should also be appreciated that this alternative embodiment does
not need to include any secondary bonus awards. However, one or more
secondary bonus awards may be employed in this embodiment in accordance
with the present invention.

[0243]It should further be appreciated that the gaming system of the
present invention could determine to provide one or more of the
progressive bonus awards simultaneously to multiple different gaming
machines in the system. This could create a competitive gaming
environment where players are competing to obtain the different
progressive bonus awards.

[0244]In a further embodiment, one or more additional progressive awards
may be provided by the system based on certain inputs by the players or
other factors. In one such embodiment, if the player which receives the
bonus event has made a designated minimum wager amount, such as the
maximum wager, the gaming system can provide the player a chance to
receive a further progressive award, such as a fifth progressive award in
the above example. This could be provided automatically or upon the
occurrence of a designated event or condition. This allows for even
higher awards, such as higher progressive awards of over $1,000,000.

Additional Progressive Jackpot Award

[0245]The central server tracks the progressive increment and sends the
value to a gaming machine when the central server determines that a
progressive award has been won on a gaming machine. In another
alternative embodiment, an additional progressive award such as a jackpot
award (e.g., progressive award starting at $1,000,000 or more) may be
employed in the gaming system of the present invention. In one such
embodiment, this level is only available if a designated wager level was
made, such as the maximum wager. In one embodiment, this additional
progressive award is employed as a fifth progressive award level in the
multiple progressive award level described above. It can be won through
the random bonus or other suitable methods.

Information Provided to Player

[0246]As indicated above, the bonus awards can be completely mystery bonus
awards provided to the players of the gaming machines with or without
explanation or information provided to the player, or alternatively can
be displayed to the player, such as the progressive awards in FIG. 18. In
one embodiment, such as the embodiment with the progressive awards,
suitable information about the bonus awards can be provided to the
players through one or more displays on the gaming machines or additional
information displays positioned near the gaming machines, such as above a
bank of system gaming machines.

[0247]This information can be used to entertain the player or inform the
player that a bonus event has occurred or will occur. Examples of such
information are:

[0248](1) that a bonus event has occurred;

[0249](2) that a bonus event will shortly occur (i.e., foreshadowing the
bonus event);

[0250](3) that one or more bonus awards have been provided to one or more
players of the system gaming machines;

[0251](4) that one or more bonus awards will be shortly provided to one or
more players of the system gaming machines;

[0252](5) which gaming machines have won the bonus awards such as the
primary award, secondary awards or progressive awards;

[0253](6) the amount of the bonus awards won;

[0254](7) the amount of the bonus awards that can be won such as the
progressive awards; and

[0255](8) the level that an active bonus is at.

It should be appreciated that such information can be provided to the
players through any suitable audio, audio-visual or visual devices.

Multiple Bonus Award Pools with Thresholds

[0256]In an alternative embodiment, rather than utilizing a multiplier
component and a value component to determine a primary bonus award, the
gaming system utilizes a plurality of different predefined bonus award
pools to determine a primary bonus award. Each bonus award pool includes
a plurality of different bonus awards which are each associated with a
probability of being selected. In this embodiment, each bonus award pool
is associated with a different threshold or range of wagers accumulated
in the accumulated wager pool. In one embodiment, the greater the
accumulated amount in the accumulated wager pool, the greater the average
expected primary bonus award of the bonus pool utilized to determine the
primary bonus award. The following is an example of a pool structure in
accordance with one such embodiment:

[0257]In operation of this embodiment, when a bonus event is determined to
occur, the central server selects one of the bonus award pools. The
selected bonus award pool is based on the amount of accumulated wagers in
the accumulated wager pool. For example, as illustrated above, if the
accumulated wager pool is at 630, the central server selects Pool C.

[0258]In one embodiment, the central server communicates data regarding
the determined bonus award pool to a selected gaming device. In this
embodiment, the selected gaming device then selects one of the primary
bonus awards based on the probabilities associated with each primary
bonus award in the communicated bonus award pool and provides the
selected primary bonus award to the player. For example, the central
server communicates data regarding Pool C and the selected gaming device
selects, based on the probabilities of the primary bonus awards in Pool
C, a primary bonus award of 500 to provide to the player of the selected
gaming device. In another embodiment, the central server selects one of
the primary bonus awards from the determined bonus award pool and
communicates the selected primary bonus award to the selected gaming
device to provide to the player of the selected gaming device. In these
embodiment, while the primary bonus award is based on awards selected
from predefined bonus award pools, the determination of which predefined
bonus award pool to utilize is based on the accumulated wager pool and
thus the primary bonus award is determined, at least in part, on the
wagers accumulated in the accumulated wager pool.

[0260]In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 19B, each gaming
machine 200 has a support structure, housing or cabinet which provides
support for a plurality of displays, inputs, controls and other features
of a conventional gaming machine. It is configured so that a player can
operate it while standing or sitting. The gaming machine may be
positioned on a base or stand or can be configured as a pub-style
table-top game (not shown) which a player can operate preferably while
sitting. As illustrated by the different configurations shown in FIGS.
19A and 19B, the gaming machine can be constructed with varying cabinet
and display configurations.

[0261]In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 20, each gaming machine
preferably includes at least one processor 212, such as a microprocessor,
a microcontroller-based platform, a suitable integrated circuit or one or
more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's). The processor is
in communication with or operable to access or to exchange signals with
at least one data storage or memory device 214. In one embodiment, the
processor and the memory device reside within the cabinet of the gaming
machine. The memory device stores program code and instructions,
executable by the processor, to control the gaming machine. The memory
device also stores other data such as image data, event data, player
input data, random or pseudo-random number generators, pay-table data or
information and applicable game rules that relate to the play of the
gaming machine. In one embodiment, the memory device includes random
access memory (RAM). In one embodiment, the memory device includes read
only memory (ROM). In one embodiment, the memory device includes flash
memory and/or EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only
memory). Any other suitable magnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory
may be implemented in conjunction with the gaming machine of the present
invention.

[0262]In one embodiment, part or all of the program code and/or operating
data described above can be stored in a detachable or removable memory
device, including, but not limited to, a suitable cartridge, disk or CD
ROM. A player can use such a removable memory device in a desktop, a
laptop personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other
computerized platform. The processor and memory device may be
collectively referred to herein as a "computer."

[0263]In one embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the gaming
machine randomly generates awards and/or other game outcomes for the
primary game based on probability data. That is, each award or other game
outcome for the primary game is associated with a probability and the
gaming machine generates the award or other game outcome to be provided
to the player based on the associated probabilities. In this embodiment,
since the gaming machine generates outcomes randomly or based upon a
probability calculation, there is no certainty that the gaming machine
will ever provide the player with any specific award or other game
outcome for the primary game.

[0264]In another embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the gaming
machine employs a predetermined or finite set or pool of awards or other
game outcomes. In this embodiment, as each award or other game outcome is
provided to the player, the gaming machine removes the provided award or
other game outcome from the predetermined set or pool. Once removed from
the set or pool, the specific provided award or other game outcome cannot
be provided to the player again. This type of gaming machine provides
players with all of the available awards or other game outcomes over the
course of the play cycle and guarantees the amount of actual wins and
losses.

[0265]It should be appreciated that the present invention may be employed
in a central determination system where a central controller picks the
outcome from a pool of outcomes. In one such embodiment, after the
central server determines an outcome for a gaming machine, the gaming
system will store such outcome until that gaming machine is selected to
receive the bonus event and the selected gaming machine makes a request
for an outcome.

[0266]In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 19A, the gaming machine
200a includes one or more display devices controlled by the processor.
The display devices are preferably connected to or mounted to the cabinet
of the gaming machine. The embodiment shown in FIG. 19A includes a
central display device 216 which displays a primary game. This display
device may also display any suitable secondary game associated with the
primary game as well as information relating to the primary or secondary
game. The alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 19B includes a central
display device 216 and an upper display device 218. The upper display
device may display the primary game, any suitable secondary game
associated with the primary game and/or information relating to the
primary or secondary game. As seen in FIGS. 19A and 19B, in one
embodiment, the gaming machines includes a credit display 220 which
displays a player's current number of credits, cash, account balance or
the equivalent. In one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a bet
display 222 which displays a player's amount wagered.

[0267]The display devices may include, without limitation, a monitor, a
television display, a plasma display, a liquid crystal display (LCD) a
display based on light emitting diodes (LED) or any other suitable
electronic device or display mechanism. In one embodiment, as described
in more detail below, the display device includes a touch-screen with an
associated touch-screen controller. The display devices may be of any
suitable configuration, such as a square, rectangle, elongated rectangle.

[0268]The display devices of the gaming machine are configured to display
at least one and preferably a plurality of game or other suitable images,
symbols and indicia such as any visual representation or exhibition of
the movement of objects such as mechanical, virtual or video reels and
wheels, dynamic lighting, video images, images of people, characters,
places, things and faces of cards, tournament advertisements and the
like.

[0269]In one alternative embodiment, the symbols, images and indicia
displayed on or of the display device may be in mechanical form. That is,
the display device may include any electromechanical device, such as one
or more mechanical objects, such as one or more rotatable wheels, reels
or dice, configured to display at least one and preferably a plurality of
game or other suitable images, symbols or indicia.

[0270]As illustrated in FIG. 20, in one embodiment, the gaming machine
includes at least one payment acceptor 224 in communication with the
processor. As seen in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the payment acceptor may include
a coin slot 226 and a payment, note or bill acceptor 228, where the
player inserts money, coins or tokens. The player can place coins in the
coin slot or paper money, ticket or voucher into the payment, note or
bill acceptor. In other embodiments, devices such as readers or
validators for credit cards, debit cards or credit slips could be used
for accepting payment. In one embodiment, a player may insert an
identification card into a card reader of the gaming machine. In one
embodiment, the identification card is a smart card having a programmed
microchip or a magnetic strip coded with a player's identification,
credit totals and other relevant information. In one embodiment, money
may be transferred to a gaming machine through electronic funds transfer.
When a player funds the gaming machine, the processor determines the
amount of funds entered and the corresponding amount is shown on the
credit or other suitable display as described above.

[0271]As seen in FIGS. 19A, 19B and 20, in one embodiment the gaming
machine includes at least one and preferably a plurality of input devices
230 in communication with the processor. The input devices can include
any suitable device which enables the player to produce an input signal
which is read by the processor. In one embodiment, after appropriate
funding of the gaming machine, the input device is a game activation
device, such as a pull arm 232 or a play button 234 which is used by the
player to start any primary game or sequence of events in the gaming
machine. The play button can be any suitable play activator such as a bet
one button, a max bet button or a repeat the bet button. In one
embodiment, upon appropriate funding, the gaming machine begins the game
play automatically. In another embodiment, upon the player engaging one
of the play buttons, the gaming machine automatically activates game
play.

[0272]In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, one input device
is a bet one button 236. The player places a bet by pushing the bet one
button. The player can increase the bet by one credit each time the
player pushes the bet one button. When the player pushes the bet one
button, the number of credits shown in the credit display preferably
decreases by one, and the number of credits shown in the bet display
preferably increases by one. In another embodiment, one input device is a
bet max button (not shown) which enables the player to bet the maximum
wager permitted for a game of the gaming machine.

[0273]In one embodiment, one input device is a cash out button 238. The
player may push the cash out button and cash out to receive a cash
payment or other suitable form of payment corresponding to the number of
remaining credits. In one embodiment, when the player cashes out, the
player receives the coins or tokens in a coin payout tray 240. In one
embodiment, when the player cashes out, the player may receive other
payout mechanisms such as tickets or credit slips redeemable by a cashier
or funding to the player's electronically recordable identification card.

[0274]In one embodiment, as mentioned above and seen in FIG. 20, one input
device is a touch-screen 242 coupled with a touch-screen controller 244,
or some other touch-sensitive display overlay to allow for player
interaction with the images on the display. The touch-screen and the
touch-screen controller are connected to a video controller 246. A player
can make decisions and input signals into the gaming machine by touching
touch-screen at the appropriate places.

[0275]The gaming machine may further includes a plurality of communication
ports for enabling communication of the processor with external
peripherals, such as external video sources, expansion buses, game or
other displays, an SCSI port or a key pad.

[0276]In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 20, the gaming machine includes a
sound generating device controlled by one or more sounds cards 248 which
function in conjunction with the processor. In one embodiment, the sound
generating device includes at least one and preferably a plurality of
speakers 250 or other sound generating hardware and/or software for
generating sounds, such as playing music for the primary and/or secondary
game or for other modes of the gaming machine, such as an attract mode.
In one embodiment, the gaming machine provides dynamic sounds coupled
with attractive multimedia images displayed on one or more of the display
devices to provide an audio-visual representation or to otherwise display
full-motion video with sound to attract players to the gaming machine.
During idle periods, the gaming machine may display a sequence of audio
and/or visual attraction messages to attract potential players to the
gaming machine. The videos may also be customized for or to provide any
appropriate information.

[0277]In one embodiment, the gaming machine may include a sensor, such as
a camera in communication with the processor (and possibly controlled by
the processor) that is selectively positioned to acquire an image of a
player actively using the gaming machine and/or the surrounding area of
the gaming machine. In one embodiment, the camera may be configured to
selectively acquire still or moving (e.g., video) images and may be
configured to acquire the images in either an analog, digital or other
suitable format. The display devices may be configured to display the
image acquired by the camera as well as display the visible manifestation
of the game in split screen or picture-in-picture fashion. For example,
the camera may acquire an image of the player and that image can be
incorporated into the primary and/or secondary game as a game image,
symbol or indicia.

[0278]As indicated above and as illustrated in FIG. 1, two or more of the
gaming machines of the present invention are connected through a data
network or a remote communication link. The processor of each gaming
machine is designed to facilitate transmission of signals between the
individual gaming machine and the central server or controller.

[0279]The plurality of the gaming machines of the present invention are
capable of being linked through a data network. In one embodiment, the
data network is a local area network (LAN), in which one or more of the
gaming machines are substantially proximate to each other and an on-site
central server or controller as in, for example, a gaming establishment
or a portion of a gaming establishment. In another embodiment, the data
network is a wide area network (WAN) in which one or more of the gaming
machines are in communication with at least one off-site central server
or controller. In this embodiment, the plurality of gaming machines may
be located in a different part of the gaming establishment or within a
different gaming establishment than the off-site central server or
controller. Thus, the WAN may include an off-site central server or
controller and an off-site gaming machine located within gaming
establishments in the same geographic area, such as a city or state. The
WAN gaming system of the present invention may be substantially identical
to the LAN gaming system described above, although the number of gaming
machines in each system may vary relative to each other.

[0280]In another embodiment, the data network is an internet or intranet.
In this embodiment, the operation of the gaming machine can be viewed at
the gaming machine with at least one internet browser. In this
embodiment, operation of the gaming machine and accumulation of credits
may be accomplished with only a connection to the central server or
controller (the internet/intranet server) through a conventional phone or
other data transmission line, digital signal line (DSL), T-1 line,
coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, or other suitable connection. In this
embodiment, players may access an Internet game page from any location
where an internet connection and computer, or other internet facilitator
are available. The expansion in the number of computers and number and
speed of internet connections in recent years increases opportunities for
players to play from an ever-increasing number of remote sites. It should
be appreciated that enhanced bandwidth of digital wireless communications
may render such technology suitable for some or all communications
according to the present invention, particularly if such communications
are encrypted. Higher data transmission speeds may be useful for
enhancing the sophistication and response of the display and interaction
with the player.

[0281]In another embodiment, a plurality of gaming machines at one or more
gaming sites may be networked to a central server in a progressive
configuration, as known in the art, wherein a portion of each wager to
initiate a base or primary game may be allocated to bonus or secondary
event awards. In one embodiment, a host site computer is coupled to a
plurality of the central servers at a variety of mutually remote gaming
sites for providing a multi-site linked progressive automated gaming
system. In one embodiment, a host site computer may serve gaming machines
distributed throughout a number of properties at different geographical
locations including, for example, different locations within a city or
different cities within a state.

[0282]In one embodiment, the host site computer is maintained for the
overall operation and control of the system. In this embodiment, a host
site computer oversees the entire progressive gaming system and is the
master for computing all progressive jackpots. All participating gaming
sites report to, and receive information from, the host site computer.
Each central server computer is responsible for all data communication
between the gaming machine hardware and software and the host site
computer.

[0283]In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 19B, a base or
primary game may be a slot game with one or more paylines 252. The
paylines may be horizontal, vertical, circular, diagonal, angled or any
combination thereof. In this embodiment, the gaming device displays at
least one and preferably a plurality of reels 254, such as three to five
reels 254 in either electromechanical form with mechanical rotating reels
or video form with simulated reels and movement thereof. In one
embodiment, an electromechanical slot machine includes a plurality of
adjacent, rotatable wheels which may be combined and operably coupled
with an electronic display of any suitable type. In another embodiment,
if the reels 254 are in video form, the plurality of simulated video
reels 254 are displayed on one or more of the display devices as
described above. Each reel 254 displays a plurality of indicia such as
bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images which
preferably correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device. In
this embodiment, the gaming device awards prizes when the reels of the
primary game stop spinning if specified types and/or configurations of
indicia or symbols occur on an active payline or otherwise occur in a
winning pattern.

[0284]In one embodiment, a base or primary game may be a poker game
wherein the gaming machine enables the player to play a conventional game
of video poker and initially deals five cards all face up from a virtual
deck of fifty-two card deck. Cards may be dealt as in a traditional game
of cards or in the case of the gaming machine, may also include that the
cards are randomly selected from a predetermined number of cards. If the
player wishes to draw, the player selects the cards to hold via one or
more input device, such as pressing related hold buttons or via the touch
screen. The player then presses the deal button and the unwanted or
discarded cards are removed from the display and replacement cards are
dealt from the remaining cards in the deck. This results in a final
five-card hand. The final five-card hand is compared to a payout table
which utilizes conventional poker hand rankings to determine the winning
hands. The player is provided with an award based on a winning hand and
the credits the player wagered.

[0285]In another embodiment, the base or primary game may be a multi-hand
version of video poker. In this embodiment, the player is dealt at least
two hands of cards. In one such embodiment, the cards are the same cards.
In one embodiment each hand of cards is associated with its own deck of
cards. The player chooses the cards to hold in a primary hand. The held
cards in the primary hand are also held in the other hands of cards. The
remaining non-held cards are removed from each hand displayed and for
each hand replacement cards are randomly dealt into that hand. Since the
replacement cards are randomly dealt independently for each hand, the
replacement cards for each hand will usually be different. The poker hand
rankings are then determined hand by hand and awards are provided to the
player.

[0286]In one embodiment, a base or primary game may be a keno game wherein
the gaming device displays a plurality of selectable indicia or numbers
on at least one of the display devices. In this embodiment, the player
selects at least one and preferable a plurality of the selectable indicia
or numbers via an input device or via the touch screen. The gaming device
then displays a series of drawn numbers to determine an amount of
matches, if any, between the player's selected numbers and the gaming
device's drawn numbers. The player is provided an award based on the
amount of matches, if any, based on the amount of determined matches.

[0287]In one embodiment, the secondary game may be any type of suitable
game, either similar to or completely different from the base or primary
game. In one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a program which will
automatically begin a bonus round when the player has achieved a
triggering event or qualifying condition in the base or primary game. In
one embodiment, the triggering event or qualifying condition may be a
selected outcome in the primary game or a particular arrangement of one
or more indicia on a display device in the primary game, such as the
number seven appearing on three adjacent reels along a payline in the
primary slot game embodiment seen in FIGS. 19A and 19B. In another
embodiment, the triggering event or qualifying condition may be by
exceeding a certain amount of game play (number of games, number of
credits, amount of time), reaching a specified number of points earned
during game play or as a random award.

[0288]In one embodiment, once a player has qualified for a secondary game,
the player may subsequently enhance his/her bonus game participation
through continued play on the base or primary game. Thus, for each bonus
qualifying event, such as a bonus symbol, that the player obtains, a
given number of bonus game wagering points or credits may be accumulated
in a "bonus meter" programmed to accrue the bonus wagering credits or
entries toward eventual participation in a bonus game. The occurrence of
multiple such bonus qualifying events in the primary game may result in
an arithmetic or geometric increase in the number of bonus wagering
credits awarded. In one embodiment, extra bonus wagering credits may be
redeemed during the bonus game to extend play of the bonus game.

[0289]In one embodiment, no separate entry fee or buy in for a bonus game
need be employed. That is, a player may not purchase an entry into a
bonus game; he must win or earn entry through play of the primary game
and, thus, play of the primary game is encouraged. In another embodiment,
qualification of the bonus or secondary game could be accomplished
through a simple "buy in" by the player if, for example, the player has
been unsuccessful at qualifying through other specified activities.

[0290]It should be understood that various changes and modifications to
the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and
without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended
that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.